1,200 US troops due for war games

Some 1,200 American soldiers and 2,500 Filipino troopers are expected to participate in the Exercise Balikatan 2003 war games in three venues in Luzon from April 25 to May 9, the US embassy announced yesterday.

The embassy clarified in a statement that the Balikatan 2003 war games, the 19th of a series that began in 1981, are different from the "Balikatan 03-1" whose date and venue are still being discussed.

The first batch of more than 450 US servicemen is expected to arrive via high speed vessel at the Subic Freeport this morning, the embassy said.

Armed Forces vice chief of staff and spokesman Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia said Balikatan 2003 will be held at Clark Field in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija and at a Marine base in Ternate, Cavite.

Garcia said elements of the US army’s 11th Field Artillery, the 4th Marine Regiment, 36th Marine Aircraft Group and 3rd Marine Force Support Group are expected to participate.

Garcia said Balikatan 2003 will be conducted in two simultaneous phases. Phase I will involve a combined/joint task force seminar and command post exercise focusing on peace enforcement operations.

Phase II will involve cross-training, field training and humanitarian activities, like medical, veterinary and engineering projects.

Balikatan 2003 will unfold even as both countries discuss where to hold the Balikatan 03-1 exercise which is expected to be similar to the Balikatan 02-1 exercise in Basilan last year.

The government earlier said it wanted to conduct Balikatan 03-1 in Sulu and a majority of Sulu town mayors have voted to have the province host the war games.

Sixteen of the province’s 18 mayors favor a military exercise in Sulu.

Last Monday six of the eight mayors from Sulu’s first district signed a manifesto asking President Arroyo to hold the military exercise in their province.

Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison said the 10 mayors from the second district, who had sent Mrs. Arroyo a similar manifesto last February, have remained firm on their stand that the Balikatan be held in Sulu.

The mayors said they hope the Balikatan’s development component would help improve Sulu’s economic situation.

The manifesto, dated April 14, was signed by Tamrin Tulawie (Talipao), Khan Isnaji (Indanan), Nedra Burahan (Panglima Tahil), Ahmad Nanoh (Pangutaran), Norriya Ipah (Maimbung), and Hasir Hayudini (Patikul), all of the first district.

Earlier, Sulu Gov. Yusop Jikiri said he would have to consult his constituents before deciding on whether to have the Balikatan held in his province.

Security cooperation

Both Balikatan 03 and the still-pending Balikatan 03-1 are among the 17 joint RP-US military exercises scheduled for this year, two of which have already been concluded and one still ongoing in Zamboanga City.

Military and security forces of both countries started on Jan. 15 counter-terrorism training in Zamboanga as part of a training module prepared by the US under an agreement between Mrs. Arroyo and US President George W. Bush.

The second joint exercise, called "Balance Piston," was conducted from January to February also at Clark Field and at Fort Magsaysay.

The third joint exercise, called Marine Interoperability Exercises (MIX), was held Feb. 3 to 23 and involved about 600 visiting US marines who conducted amphibious war games in Ternate, Cavite with their local counterparts.

Officials said three other exercises, dubbed as Maritime Surveillance Exercises (Marsuvex), TEAK Piston, and Pandagat, Lupa at Himpapawid (PALA) exercises, have also been approved.

Philippine and US military and diplomatic officials are discussing another exercise to be called "Makani Pahili" but both sides have not finalized details.