Summer heat downs 2 US soldiers in Balikatan

MANILA, Philippines - At least two American soldiers participating in the joint military Philippine-US Balikatan military exercises in Palawan have suffered heat stroke.

Maj. Niel Estrella, spokesman for the Western Command (Wescom), said Pfc. Calvin Harris and Army Specialist Christopher Irby were confined at the Wescom Hospital over the weekend.

Calvin and Irby were among the US soldiers helping in the construction of a school in Barangay Bacungan, Puerto Princesa City.

“Sobrang init ngayon dito. Katatapos lang ng isang activity dito (It’s so hot here. We’ve just finished an activity),” Estrella said, referring to groundbreaking for the construction of the school.

Aside from civil-military activities, this year’s war games include the holding of joint naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea.

Estrella said the naval exercises would be held within the country’s territorial waters and is only aimed at fine-tuning both forces’ inter-operational and defensive capabilities.

Meanwhile, Wescom commander Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban ordered the creation of a task group to ensure the safety of visiting US troops.

All American soldiers have been briefed on the security situation in the island province, Estrella said.