MANILA, Philippines – It's not about China. It's about reaffirming alliances especially in "difficult times."
Armed
Forces chief of staff Gen Jessie Dellosa issued this statement at the
opening on Monday, April 16, of the PH-US Balikatan 2012, the 28th of
such kind between Filipino and American troops.
“It is imperative for our ground forces
to sustain operational readiness, keeping in mind the difficult times
we are in now,” Dellosa said. “It is during these times that our
alliances must be reaffirmed and through Balikatan, these joint military
activities are conducted.”
Philippine
Navy chief Alexander Pama said it's only incidental that the exercises
are being held against the backdrop of a standoff between Manila and
Beijing over Scarborough Shoal.
Officials said Balikatan 2012 will test the preparedness of the
two armed forces in responding to major disasters similar to the March
2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the floods in Bangkok.
“Aside
from the earthquake and tsunami, we also had to deal with the threat of
a nuclear meltdown,” Lt Col Yuzo Shibata of the Japanese Navy said.
“Other nations including the US helped us go through that crisis, so we
are now sharing the lessons and have a common operational procedure to
cope any kind of disaster.”
At least 4,500 US troops and 2,300 Filipino soldiers will be
participating in the 11-day bilateral military exercises that will be
divided into 3 major components: command post exercise in Manila; field
training exercises in Luzon, Palawan and parts of Mindanao; and
civill-military operations that include the construction of new school
buildings and delivery of free medial services, mostly in Puerto
Princesa City.
Not in contested areas
“There
are no exercises that will be held in contested areas. All events will
be held in Philippine territories,” said Maj Emmanuel Garcia,
spokesperson of the Philippine contingent to the Balikatan 2012.
Garcia
said it was the Philippine government, supposedly through requests made
by the Palawan local government, that asked both countries to hold
Balikatan activities there.
Palawan is
near the Spratlys, another disputed territory. Due to the island's rich
sea-based oil reserves, security drills will also be part of the war
games.
In Puerto
Princesa City, capital of Palawan, some Chinese boats remain in the
hands of the Philippine Naval Forces West, which is based in the city
and tasked to secure the Spratlys.
Philippine Navy personnel seized
these boats during numerous incidents of Chinese incursions into
Philippine territory.
“It is not
always that the Chinese got away like [they were able to] in
Scarborough,” remarked a Navy officer who asked not to be identified.
“Yes, those (Chinese) boats in our possession mean we can do it,” said
Col Neil Estrella, spokesman of the Western Command.
Philippine and US officials in the city, however, were careful not to spin this year’s joint exercises into a muscle-flexing event against China.
Philippine and US officials in the city, however, were careful not to spin this year’s joint exercises into a muscle-flexing event against China.
“We’ve been doing this (joint military exercises) every year… this is
just part of a continuing mission of the US military,” said US Marine
Captain Staci Reidinger, currently serving as the Exercise Balikatan
2012-Palawan US Forces Public Affairs Officer.
'Popular speculation'
Nearly a thousand troops have built more school buildings and
conducted more medical assistance activities in Palawan compared to
previous years.
“We’re not
here scouting out sites (for basing). I understand this seems to be a
popular speculation but we’re not hunting out sites,” Lt Ray Ragan, a US
military spokesman, said at the start of the medical missions held in
impoverished Palawan communities two weeks ago.
Later in the week, both sides will simulate several crisis scenarios in the western side of Palawan facing the West Philippine Sea and the Spratlys, including a commando raid on an oil rig that has been taken over by hostile forces.
Later in the week, both sides will simulate several crisis scenarios in the western side of Palawan facing the West Philippine Sea and the Spratlys, including a commando raid on an oil rig that has been taken over by hostile forces.
This is being introduced for the first time in the annual Balikatan exercises.
On April 26, the event will close with a mass paratroop drop in the coastal village of Inagawan facing the south China Sea.
On April 26, the event will close with a mass paratroop drop in the coastal village of Inagawan facing the south China Sea.
Various groups have launched simultaneous protests Monday to denounce alleged US intervention in Philippine Affairs.
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David Y. Santos | Rappler.Com | April 16, 2012 | Article Link
