MANILA, Philippines – After 10 days of military drills, civic action,
humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HA/DR) work involving US
and Philippine troops that drew warnings from China of possible armed
confrontation, the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) 2012 close Friday at
Tejeros Hall in Camp Aguinaldo.
The 28th Balikatan, and the third HA/DR focused joint exercise
featured Civil-Military Operations activities, including the Engineering
Civic Action Program (ENCAP) where engineers from the Armed Forces of
the Philippines and United States Armed Forces constructed five school
buildings in Palawan.
The beneficiaries of ENCAP were Tagbarungis Elementary School and
Inagawan National High School in Brgy Tagbarungis, Kandis III Elementary
School in Brgy Sta Bacungan, Sta Cruz Elementary School in Brgy Sta
Cruz, and Buena Vista Elementary School in Brgy Buena Vista all in
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Other community relations activities were also held including the
Futbol Clinic with the Philippine Azkals in Camp Aguinaldo, Basketball
rehab and hoops with the Philippine Air Force in Clark Airfield, Futbol
Clinic with PAF in Zambales Halfway House, Futbol Clinic in Fort
Magsaysay Parade Ground, Carpentry/Masonry Training in Fort Magsaysay,
Student Tour in Clark Airfield, and Army/Navy Sports Challenge in Subic
Bay Athletic Complex.
A Senior Leaders’ Seminar (SLS) on HA/DR was held that focused on
experiential exchanges to further improve operations, procedures, and
policies on emergency disaster response.
The seminar involved
participants from Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea.
The Balikatan also featured amphibious exercises in Palawan that
simulated an actual port and base recovery exercise. It involved about a
hundred joint US and Philippine troops aboard the BRP Laguna that
later released 12 rubber boats about four to five miles off the shore of
Ulugan Bay.
A series of free medical, dental and veterinary services were held in
Palawan that started on April 9 to 27 as part of the Civic Action
Programs. Included also in the activities were medical trainings for
rural health workers, a medical symposium, and a combat lifesaver
course.
Soldiers from both countries also paid tribute to the fallen heroes
of World War II in a wreath laying ceremony attended by 7th Infantry
Division Commander Brigadier General Alan Luga and US Army Pacific
Command Deputy Commander Major General Roger Matthews at Pangatian
Shrine in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
Among those who attended the closing ceremony were AFP Chief of Staff
General Jessie Dellosa; US Exercise Director Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen;
Philippine Exercise Director Rear Admiral Victor Emmanuel Martir; and US
Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas.
Representatives from the Senate and
House, Department of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic Corps, National
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, and other government
agencies.
“I am truly grateful of the success of the Balikatan 2012. The Table
Top and Field Training Exercises have opened up new avenues and widen
the horizon for new opportunities for international participation and
partnership in ensuring regional security and stability,” Dellosa said.
“As the curtain closes down on this year’s Balikatan, I would like to
express my gratitude to the American soldiers and foreign partners who
gave their valuable time to share their experiences, best practices, and
different approaches in dealing with various types of situations and
security challenges that the country might confront in the future,” he
added.
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Frances Mangosing | INQUIRER.net | April 27, 2012 | Article Link
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