US-Philippines biggest annual military exercise begins

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Filipino and American soldiers will hold live-fire drills as part of their annual Philippines-US “Balikatan” military exercises which began on Tuesday.

Over 17,600 soldiers, including 5,400 from the Philippines and 12,200 US military personnel, are participating in the annual drill, known as Balikatan or “shoulder-to-shoulder.” The drills will end on April 28.

The US Embassy in Manila said the Filipino and US military members will train “shoulder-to-shoulder, enhancing capability across various military operations.”

It added that the rise from last year's participating 9,000 personnel “shows that the scope of the exercise grows consistently year after year.”

The exercise “will train shoulder-to-shoulder, developing interoperability and improved capability in the areas of maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban and aviation operations, cyber defense, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness.”

The live drills are “designed to execute and apply the skills learned and simulation exercise,” the Philippines army confirmed.

Manila is the oldest ally of Washington in the region and is also the largest recipient of US military assistance, equipment, and training.

This year’s Balikatan is the 38th such exercise between the two militaries “incorporating training activities throughout the Philippines,” the US embassy said.

The latest joint military drills between Manila and Washington came after the Philippines announced it had identified four more military bases for joint use with the US, triggering a sharp response from China which urged regional nations to take a similar step which is "favorable to their interests."

However, top Filipino diplomat Enrique Manalo said Washington and Manila "will need to discuss what the US may do with its access to certain military bases in the Philippines."

There are already five Filipino military bases for joint use with the US under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

On Balikatan, Beijing said Monday that the "exchange and cooperation between relevant countries should not target any third party and should be conducive to regional peace and stability," adding: "The US-Philippines military cooperation must not interfere in South China Sea disputes, still (cause) less harm (on) China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests and security interests."