RP-US military exercises slated this year

The Philippines and the United States are set to undertake the first of a series of joint exercises to counter terrorism and other global threats, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. said yesterday.

The joint military exercise dubbed "Kapit-Bisig" will be conducted this year under the newly signed security agreement between the US and the Philippines.

The agreement, which was forged last June, was meant to complement the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) that mainly deals with external aggressors.

The Kapit-Bisig joint military exercise is the counterpart of the annual Balikatan joint military exercises under the MDT.

Cruz said both sides are just finalizing arrangements for "Kapit Bisig."

He said "Kapit-Bisig" aims to strengthen the capacity of the military troops to respond in areas of counter-terrorism, disaster preparedness and transnational crimes.

The RP-US Security Engagement Board (SEB) had its initial meeting last June where both sides mapped out activities that will allow closer cooperation to address non-traditional cross-border threats.

The SEB was established after the two countries forged a new security agreement to complement the Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Malacañang earlier defended the new security agreement saying it would effectively address global threats like terrorism and drug trafficking.

The RP-US cooperation also aims to address new global threats like deadly diseases and piracy.

Cruz earlier said the joint military exercise would commission experts in disaster management and maritime safety, and doctors with expertise in treating and handling bird flu virus. — Helen Flores