‘Balikatan shows commitment to Philippine-US alliance’

MANILA, Philippines — This year’s Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) or joint military exercises to be participated in by 7,500 Filipino and American soldiers opened yesterday with United States Ambassador Sung Kim calling it a “testament to our mutual commitment to the US-Philippine alliance.” 

Speaking at Camp Aguinaldo, Kim said the importance of the event to be conducted from April 1 to 12 and in previous years extends far beyond the interoperability of military forces of both countries. 

“It links us together on a personal level, fortifying friendships and better camaraderie from the lowest levels up to the leadership ranks,” Kim said.

“The relationships, skills and cooperation that our nations build here will have significant implications for the safety and security of the Philippines and the whole Indo-Pacific region, and Australia’s participation makes this even more meaningful,” he added.

Lt. Cmdr. Liezl Vidallon, Balikatan 2019’s public affairs officer, earlier bared that some 4,000 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will join around 3,500 American soldiers and some 50 Australian soldiers in this year’s Balikatan.

Kim said the 35th   Balikatan will strengthen the armed forces of both countries, improve interoperability and facilitate a robust exchange of ideas and best practices.  

“Our militaries will spend the next two weeks working shoulder to shoulder, honing their skills in key areas such as counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” he said. 

“So I’m proud to be a part of the 35th iteration of Balikatan, we are honored to contribute to our special alliance, as friends, partners and allies. We are not only protecting our own shared security but also contributing greatly to the stability and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” Kim said. 

AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. echoed the US ambassador’s statement, noting that the exercise “is a testament of our enduring commitment to our defense partnership.” 

“Every year when our troops train together and hurdle developed scenarios, in a way we actually relive the times when Filipinos and American soldiers fought side by side in defense of peace, freedom and democracy,” he said. 

Madrigal said the timing of this year’s exercise coincides with the annual observance of Philippine Veterans Week and Bataan Day on April 9, also called the Day of Valor. 

“Today, we continue this legacy through the Balikatan exercises where we continue to forge our bond as armed forces, where we develop our trust and confidence with each other and where we relentlessly strive and learn from one another, to be at our prime as protectors and defenders of our countries,” he said. 

Madrigal said this year’s Balikatan aims to enhance the interoperability of the Philippines and US forces in joint and combined operations, and to project a posture of readiness to combat any security threat. 

The AFP chief said exercises were scaled up, meaning more focus on the area of territorial defense and counterterrorism operations. 

 “It is our primary goal that the exercise outcome would be beneficial for everyone. In the conduct of our four major events, the staff exercise and command post exercise, joint interoperability events, combined operability events and humanitarian civic assistance events, much shall be learned in enhancing our full spectrum of capabilities,” he stressed.

 Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, for his part, also took note of how the relationship between the US and the Philippines has endured “in the face of so many adversities through the years of our long, close friendship.”

“In security alliance, we persisted and resolved to stay together to ensure the security, peace and prosperity of our two nations in the larger Indo-Pacific region,” he said. 

He acknowledged that the geopolitics and security dynamics within the Indo-Pacific region are evolving so fast and both the US and the Philippines need to work together more to keep up with the challenges. 

“Otherwise our past efforts and sacrifices in ensuring peace and stability for the past several decades will lose their meaning and significance. This is the best time for us, the Filipino and American peoples to stay together and work hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder to review our commitment for peace and posterity in the region,” Luna said.