'Not fully aware': Padilla wants public to know all about country's gains from Balikatan
By Dhel Nazario
At A Glance
- Senator Robinhood Padilla has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, with the end goal of informing the public all about the 39th United States (US)- Philippines Balikatan Exercise's success, gains, prospects, and opportunities.
Senator Robinhood Padilla has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, with the end goal of informing the public all about the 39th United States (US)- Philippines Balikatan Exercise's success, gains, prospects, and opportunities.
Padilla said that he wants to ensure ordinary Filipinos' understanding of the particular gains and opportunities from the recently concluded Balikatan Exercises between the Philippines and the US.
In filing Senate Resolution (SR) No.1026, Padilla called for the conduct of a hearing on the matter by the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, which he chairs.
"It is important that every Filipino would understand the Balikatan Exercise, the need for it, the gains of the country as well as the prospects and opportunities for the people," he said in his resolution.
"Dissemination of public information as regards Balikatan Exercise should also be an indicator on the success of the conduct of the said joint exercises," he added.
Padilla noted the 39th annual US-PH Balikatan Exercise this year focused on external defense operations, cyber defense, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as inter-agency interoperability of military units and government agencies to work together in crises, "may it be a disaster or armed attack".
He added that President Marcos had earlier lauded the successful conduct of the Balikatan exercises and congratulated participating troops from both the Philippines and US.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., for his part, likewise hailed the success of this year's Balikatan and disclosed that they were looking forward to next year's exercises that will include full battle simulation.
Yet, Padilla said many Filipinos "are still not fully aware and informed of what the Balikatan Exercise is and how it could impact the lives of the people".