Tag: Balikatan
PBBM says inclusion of Japan in Balikatan exercises worth studying
(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos said allowing Japanese forces to join the Balikatan military exercises between the Philippines and the United States is something worth exploring. The Balikatan exercises are held annually under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which is aimed at strengthening efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security. “Now with the inclusion of Japan in some of these exercises that we’ve been doing, not only Balikatan but others, I don’t […]
US, Philippine troops fire rockets at ship in largest-ever drills
San Antonio, Philippines (AFP) by Cecil MORELLA US and Philippine troops fired a salvo of rockets at a warship representing an enemy vessel in the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday, in the final exercise of the allies’ largest-ever military drills. It was the first time the countries had conducted a joint live-fire exercise in the hotly contested waters, which China claims almost entirely. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who has sought stronger defence ties with […]
US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt sent to help PHL Navy patrol West PHL Sea
Ongoing Balikatan exercises strengthening US-PH relations, says PHL Ambassador to US (Eagle News) – The Philippines and the United States have further strengthened its defense relations with the Balikatan exercises amid the country’s problem with China’s continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea. In fact, the United States had recently sent one of its aircraft carriers, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, to accompany the Philippine Navy ships in patrolling the country’s waters as part of […]
US cancels Balikatan exercises in the PHL due to virus pandemic
The US military has cancelled a large-scale exercise involving thousands of troops in the Philippines because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision to scrap Balikatan 2020 was taken “in light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19 pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces”, US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Phil Davidson said. The war games, scheduled for May 4-15, would have involved more than 10,000 troops from the […]
US warship cruises disputed sea during PHL-US Balikatan exercises
by Ron Lopez Agence France Presse MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — A US warship laden with hi-tech fighter planes took center stage at key war games in the Philippines Thursday, brandishing military might as fresh tensions bubble in the contentious South China Sea. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, with at least 10 F-35B stealth jets on deck, stood guard as amphibious tanks rolled onto a Philippine beach located a short sail from islands also […]
Albayalde wants policemen included in Balikatan exercises; issues request to US Ambassador Kim
By Mar Gabriel Eagle News Service Philippine National Police Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday, May 23, said he has requested for his men to be allowed to take part in the annual Balikatan exercises. In a press conference on Wednesday, May 23, Albayalde said he made the request to United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim himself in a recent meeting. “I’ve requested na ‘pag may Balikatan sana kahit na ‘yung SAF (Special […]
News in photos: US soldiers fold their national flag as Balikatan exercises with PHL close
PHL-US Balikatan ends: focus on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, counter-terrorism
(Eagle News) – The annual joint US-Philippines military exercises ended on Friday, May 19, with the closing ceremonies participated in by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. Forces in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The Balikatan exercises this year lasted for about 10 days. The opening was marked by ceremonies on May 8 in Manila. The exercises mostly focused on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and counterterrorism (HADR/CT) events, as well […]
Philippines, US launch scaled-down military exercises
by Mynardo Macaraig Agence France Presse MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines and the United States launched annual military exercises on Monday but the longtime allies scaled them down in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s pivot to China and Russia. Duterte in his 10 months in office has sought to weaken ties with the United States — the Philippines’ mutual defense treaty partner and former colonial ruler — saying its role as a global […]
Militant groups protest “Balikatan” exercises
MANILA, Philippines – Various protest groups crowded the United States protesting this year’s “Balikatan” exercises, citing as one their reasons the meddling of the United States in the Mamasapano incident, resulting in the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos. (Eagle News Service Jay Paul Carlos, Jericho Morales, MRFaith Bonalos)
U.S. rebalance to Asia begins with “Balikatan” military drill in Philippines
PHILIPPINE and U.S. soldiers began their biggest combined military exercise in 15 years on Monday (April 20), in a demonstration of Washington’s commitment to its long-time ally as it rebalances to Asia in the face of China’s expansion in the South China Sea. The annual “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games are part of a new U.S. military initiative known as Pacific Pathways, involving a series of drills across the Asia-Pacific as America deploys more troops, ships […]
