BASCO, Batanes – An Osprey helicopter carrying American soldiers landed at Basco Airport here on Monday, April 10, a day before that start of the biggest “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) military exercises between Philippines and the United States on Tuesday, April 11.
The provincial government of Batanes said they are in the province for a quick parachute diving practice.
It added that the activity is part of Balikatan and has nothing to do with the ongoing tension between China and Taiwan.
"We would like to clarify that these have nothing to do with the ongoing tension between China and Taiwan," the provincial government said in a Facebook post.
The provincial government urged the public not to spread any false information that may strike fear to Filipinos.
The opening ceremony of the 38th iteration of the annual war games is scheduled at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
More than 17, 000 military personnel, 5,400 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 12,200 from the United States Armed Forces are participating.
The Australian Defense Force is also joining as active participants while the Japan Self-Defense Forces will deploy observers.
The exercise kicks off just as China concluded a three-day military drill in Taiwan on Monday.