US government sets up Balikatan website

For confused Filipinos who can’t tell the difference between 02-1 and 02-2, and for American citizens who have no idea what a "Balikatan" is, enlightenment is now just a mouse click away.

In line with efforts to inform its citizens and those from the host country about the latest round of joint military exercises, the US government has set up a website for the Luzon Balikatan 02-2, which formally begins today.

"Exercise Balikatan 2002" (http://www.balikatan2002.okinawa.usmc.mil) is an official website of the US Department of Defense, maintained and updated using servers of US marine forces based in Okinawa, Japan.

The site hopes to provide news and images of the three-week war exercises, aimed at setting up a joint peacekeeping task force with the Philippines.

More than 600 American troops arrived yesterday at their former naval base in Subic Bay in Zambales for war drills intended to enhance night-flying and search-and-rescue skills, command skills and experience in helicopter operations, field-artillery firing and close-air support.

However, the Balikatan website has yet to be updated, with latest news release dated April 3. Understandably, no photos or video clips have been posted.

The website opens with the official Balikatan logo, showing the Philippine and US flags side by side. The US military describes "Balikatan" as a Filipino word that translates to "shouldering the load together."

"Balikatan joint exercises demonstrate the US resolve to support the Republic of the Philippines against external aggression consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations," the web site states.

A key feature of the site is the FAQ (frequently asked questions) menu that explains objectives, discusses scenarios and answers sensitive questions, including those on possible violations of the Philippine Constitution.

The Balikatan web site states that there is no violation of the RP law precluding foreign troops based here since the stay of US forces "will only be temporary."

US officials also stress that Balikatan 02-2 is "separate and unrelated" to the Balikatan 02-1 in Mindanao, aimed at helping the Philippine military wipe out the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf.

For military buffs, an entire section is devoted to all the units involved in the Luzon military exercises, including the various squadrons, navy vessels, marine regiments and support groups.

Profiles of military officials involved in this year’s Balikatan also appear on the site, although only American officers are featured, including exercise co-director Marine Col. Brendan Kearney. (Joint exercises don’t necessarily translate to equal billing.)

A map of Luzon is also provided, showing locations of the training areas, minus the girlie bars, of course.

Apart from Subic, exercises will be held at the former Clark air base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and Ternate, Cavite.

Several links are also available on the web site, including sites of the various branches of the US military, the US Pacific fleet and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.