The RP-US joint military exercise "Balance Piston’’ 06-02 designed to enhance the training of both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their American counterparts starts today in North Cotabato amid opposition from some residents who fear something untoward could happen as a result of the exercises.
Sgt. Alex Arjobal of the 25th Infantry Battalion said the training exercises will end on Feb. 17, 2006 and will focus on small tactics, basic and advanced rifle marksmanship, combat training, and field exercises.
About 60 US armed forces personnel will participate in the exercises with more or less the same number of AFP troops, Arjobal said.
The participation of the AFP in the training exercises is an integral part of the US Pacific Command’s theater security cooperation program.
The exercise aims to improve inter-operability and military–to- military relationships. All exercises, including civilian-military activities have been approved by the armed forces of both countries.
Balance Piston 06-02 is also designed to build understanding and cooperation among the participating countries. As part of the exercises, medical and dental services will rendered by military medical personnel in local communities.
The US have also undertaken similar joint exercises in over 25 Pacific Rim countries, including Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Indonesia to achieve greater understanding and preparedness among the military forces in the Asia-Pacific.
Meanwhile, members of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) will hold a march to the US embassy today to protest US-RP war exercises.
The arrival of US troops and cargo in Cotabato for the Balance Piston 06-2 was reported last Sunday.
Balikatan exercises involving some 5,500 US personnel will also be conducted from February 20 to March 5 in various locations.
According to Vencer Crisostomo, LFS national chairperson, the continuation of the war games "shows that the Philippine government’s decision makers do not have even a bit of reason left in their thinking."
Crisostomo called on the US embassy to "respect Philippine sovereignty" and defer the exercises until the rape case involving US marines in Subic has been resolved.
"No exercises should commence until the case is resolved, and until the perpetrators are brought to justice," he said.
LFS has some 10,000 members in various colleges, universities and high schools around the country. It conducts campaigns for youth and student rights and leads youth groups against US intervention in the Philippines.
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