CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – Key leaders and stakeholders of the province of Batanes manifested their support for the PH-US Forces Balikatan Exercise 38-23 after learning its benefits and objectives from the Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Their support was announced during the Key Leaders Engagement Forum held at the provincial capitol of Batanes on Monday, April 17.
The forum was attended by the punong barangays, municipal mayors, department heads, Church leaders, and leaders of various sectors in the province.
Earlier, the provincial government requested Nolcom to address locals' concerns about the Balikatan Exercises 38-23.
During the forum, the Nolcom emphasized the objective of the Balikatan, stressing that it is an opportunity for the AFP to test its capabilities to perform interoperability missions with other allied nations’ armed forces in order to protect and preserve its territory.
The Balikatan would also serve the Filipino people in peace or in crisis, the Nolcom added.
At the same time, Nolcom also refuted the notion that the exercises have anything to do with the tensions of our neighboring countries, China and Taiwan.
Nolcom said that under Balikatan Exercise 38-23, no live fire exercises will be held in the province of Batanes.
Activities include air assault operations exercise, non-standard maritime and free-fall infiltration, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) landing via Landing Craft Utility (CLU).
If weather permits, the activities will be conducted on April 22-23.
The people of Batanes were also assured that these training exercises will not disrupt nor destroy their livelihood, ancestral domain, and protected areas.
Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. reaffirmed the province's support for the Balikatan e xercises, stressing the importance of readiness among the AFP.
"I would like to manifest our support for the Balikatan exercises, 38-23. It is important for the AFP to be prepared against serious threats to the integrity of our national territory," he stated.