Officials from 6 countries to join maritime security discussions

MANILA, Philippines - Officials from six countries will join the maritime security discussions alongside the Balikatan exercises between Filipino and US troops next month.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said representatives from Australia, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand will join US and Filipino officials in the Multinational Maritime Security Roundtable.

“The roundtable discussion seeks to determine specific humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in high-traffic international waters, and build response confidence among multi-national partners,” he said.

Burgos said the roundtable will be one of the highlights of Balikatan 2013 from April 5 to 17.

“The conduct of Balikatan 2013 perpetuates a long and lasting partnership founded firmly on common heritage as freedom-loving countries committed to the preservation of liberty and democracy,” he said.

The 29th Balikatan will focus on military and humanitarian disaster response drills.

Exercises will be held in Zambales including Subic Bay, Camp O’Donnell and Crow Valley in Tarlac and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Participants in Balikatan 2013 will also implement humanitarian assistance projects in Zambales.

The projects include infrastructure, medical and dental mission and veterinary care.

The Balikatan exercise is in line with the Mutual Defense Treaty signed by the two countries in 1951.