RP-US Bayanihan shifts to humanitarian exercises

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Starting August, the Bayanihan military exercise between US and Filipino troops will be expanded and be known as "Kapit Bisig (Linked Arms)."

The war games will continue to focus on the humanitarian and training capabilities of American and Filipino soldiers in fighting terrorism, military officials said.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon said the Kapit Bisig exercise was adopted through the RP-US Security Engagement Board.

"The terms of reference (TOR) have been agreed between the plans and programs staff or J5 of the AFP and the US Pacific Command (Pacom)," he said.

The operational plan will be the same, but the exercise will be on a wider scale, he added.

Habacon said the "new soft approach" in counter-terrorism, which is heavy on socio-economic activities, will still be focused in Sulu and similar areas in the country, while the military component will be held in Zamboanga City.

"There is nothing new on the activities because similar programs will be adopted but in a wide scale as the Bayanihan will transition to Kapit Bisig exercise," he said.

Habacon said the "soft approach" has been successful in alienating the terrorists, while the military continued its offensive on a smaller scale owing to the soldiers’ upgraded capability.

The soft approach in counter-terrorism has been adopted following its success in Basilan four years ago when the military with the technical aid from the US forces flushed out the Abu Sayyaf, he added.

He could not say if more US troops would be deployed in the country for the training and humanitarian aspects of the Kapit Bisig military exercise, Habacon said.

US military personnel have remained stationed inside the 104th Army Brigade based in Barangay Busbus, Jolo in Sulu, while a contingent of US forces also remained at Southern Command headquarters and US Navy SEALS and US Marines at Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

The US Joint Special Operation Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) refused to divulge figures but assured there are enough US servicemen to conduct the humanitarian and training exercise with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. — Roel Pareño