By Roy Mabasa The United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) on Friday announced the cancellation of the Balikatan 2020 joint military exercise with the Philippines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “Due to concerns for the health and safety of the participating exercise forces and local populations near the planned exercise areas, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has canceled Exercise Balikatan 2020 scheduled for May 4-15 in the Republic of the Philippines,” the INDOPACOM said in a statement. It explained that the cancellation of the yearly exercise is also in synch with the international travel restrictions implemented by both the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Republic of the Philippines in response to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. “In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19 pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces, it is prudent to cancel Balikatan 2020,” Adm. Phil Davidson, Commander of the U.S. INDOPACOM said. He added that the US remains deeply committed to its “longstanding alliance and friendship” with the Philippines. Balikatan (Tagalog word for shoulder to shoulder) is an annual exercise between the Philippines and the United States and involves participation from Australia. “The DoD’s priorities remain the protection of service members, their families, and the department’s civilian work force; safeguarding and maintaining our ability to defend the nation and its interests; and supporting our allies and partners in this fight,” the INDOPACOM chief said. Manila and Washington are treaty allies and bounded by commitments under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951. This treaty, however, was beclouded by the recent decision of President Duterte to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA, an important document that clarifies the legal and operational status of US military forces in the Philippines.