Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Balikatan: AFP to provide aid for fishers affected by at sea drills; PBBM interested in watching exercises
Philippines
Balikatan: AFP to provide aid for fishers affected by at sea drills; PBBM interested in watching exercises
Balikatan: AFP to provide aid for fishers affected by at sea drills; PBBM interested in watching exercises
Published Apr 12, 2023 07:45 am
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed Wednesday, April 12, that it will give assistance to the fisherfolk that will be affected by the “Exercise Balikatan” at sea drills.
(Troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Armed Forces conduct knock out bunker and room clearing operations in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 10 to test their interoperability in assault operations as part of this year's Exercise Balikatan. Photo courtesy of AFP)
Fishermen may not be able to conduct fishing activities when AFP and US Armed Forces hold a combined joint littoral live fire exercise at approximately 12 nautical miles off San Antonio, Zambales on April 26. During the drill, the troops will fire at and sink an old fishing boat to simulate a scenario where they have to take down a hostile target.
“There was a coordination with the local government units just to make sure no one will be hurt during the conduct of live fire exercises particularly in Zambales area. We also coordinated with them for the provision of assistance because we understand that during the live fire exercise which will run for a few hours, they cannot fish I the area,” Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, said in a public briefing,
“We are coordinating with all agencies concerned to make sure that the well-being of the affected sectors, especially the fisherfolk, is taken cared of,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aguilar said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was invited to attend the live fire exercise in Zambales since he previously expressed willingness to personally witness the Balikatan drills.
“I’m not very sure of the attendance but the President was invited and he has great interest in watching the live fire exercise. But as to his schedule, I’m not privy to it,” he added.
Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) is an annual war games between the AFP and US Armed Forces.
This year’s iteration of the exercise is the biggest in its 38-year-history as there are 17,600 troops who are participating from both countries. There are also 111 personnel from the Australian Defence Force who will join in certain drills while 12 nations fielded their observers.
Balikatan 2023 will run from April 11 to 28, and is being held in various parts of the country including Zambales, Aurora, Antique, Ilocos Norte, Capiz, Nueva Ecija, and Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City among others.
Last April 10, the AFP and US Indo-Pacific Command trained side-by-side in knock out bunker and room clearing operations in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to test their interoperability in assault operations.
The following day, Philippine Army troops and US Marine Corps personnel conducted a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) training program in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz to hone their skills in responding to CBRN warfare.
Aguilar said that the Exercise Balikatan will benefit the AFP in developing the capabilities of the soldiers which, in the long run, will help them attain their goal of securing the country and the Filipino people.
“This is an opportunity to see and use the technologies available to our partner, the United States, which are more advance in comparison to what we are capable in the AFP. We will also be able to see what is available to fill in our capability gaps that come out during assessment of our skills,” Aguilar explained.
“All of these will translate into the modernization of the armed forces, the skill development of our individuals soldiers to make sure we are equipping the right people with the right equipment, and that they are able to perform their mandate as provided by the Constitution which is to protect our territorial integrity and protect our people and the State,” he added.
Aside from that, the military spokesperson noted that the economy will also be boosted by Balikatan as the 12,200 American troops visiting the country may avail services, transportation, accommodation, and food while they are in the country.
(Troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Armed Forces conduct knock out bunker and room clearing operations in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 10 to test their interoperability in assault operations as part of this year's Exercise Balikatan. Photo courtesy of AFP)
Fishermen may not be able to conduct fishing activities when AFP and US Armed Forces hold a combined joint littoral live fire exercise at approximately 12 nautical miles off San Antonio, Zambales on April 26. During the drill, the troops will fire at and sink an old fishing boat to simulate a scenario where they have to take down a hostile target.
“There was a coordination with the local government units just to make sure no one will be hurt during the conduct of live fire exercises particularly in Zambales area. We also coordinated with them for the provision of assistance because we understand that during the live fire exercise which will run for a few hours, they cannot fish I the area,” Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, said in a public briefing,
“We are coordinating with all agencies concerned to make sure that the well-being of the affected sectors, especially the fisherfolk, is taken cared of,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aguilar said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was invited to attend the live fire exercise in Zambales since he previously expressed willingness to personally witness the Balikatan drills.
“I’m not very sure of the attendance but the President was invited and he has great interest in watching the live fire exercise. But as to his schedule, I’m not privy to it,” he added.
Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) is an annual war games between the AFP and US Armed Forces.
This year’s iteration of the exercise is the biggest in its 38-year-history as there are 17,600 troops who are participating from both countries. There are also 111 personnel from the Australian Defence Force who will join in certain drills while 12 nations fielded their observers.
Balikatan 2023 will run from April 11 to 28, and is being held in various parts of the country including Zambales, Aurora, Antique, Ilocos Norte, Capiz, Nueva Ecija, and Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City among others.
Last April 10, the AFP and US Indo-Pacific Command trained side-by-side in knock out bunker and room clearing operations in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to test their interoperability in assault operations.
The following day, Philippine Army troops and US Marine Corps personnel conducted a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) training program in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz to hone their skills in responding to CBRN warfare.
Aguilar said that the Exercise Balikatan will benefit the AFP in developing the capabilities of the soldiers which, in the long run, will help them attain their goal of securing the country and the Filipino people.
“This is an opportunity to see and use the technologies available to our partner, the United States, which are more advance in comparison to what we are capable in the AFP. We will also be able to see what is available to fill in our capability gaps that come out during assessment of our skills,” Aguilar explained.
“All of these will translate into the modernization of the armed forces, the skill development of our individuals soldiers to make sure we are equipping the right people with the right equipment, and that they are able to perform their mandate as provided by the Constitution which is to protect our territorial integrity and protect our people and the State,” he added.
Aside from that, the military spokesperson noted that the economy will also be boosted by Balikatan as the 12,200 American troops visiting the country may avail services, transportation, accommodation, and food while they are in the country.