AFP prepares for 2023 Balikatan exercises with US

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is preparing for this year’s joint military exercises with the United States called Balikatan amid a refreshed security alliance between the two countries that would give US forces greater access to local military bases.

This year’s joint activities are expected to be bigger, considering the expansion of coverage of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to include four more Philippine military bases where US forces can operate on a temporary basis.

Among the areas being readied for the Balikatan exercises are those in Palawan and in parts of the West Philippine Sea under jurisdiction of the AFP’s Western Command.

“The AFP and the US Armed Forces are once again holding the 38th iteration of annual bilateral Balikatan exercises. Although this is a bilateral activity, the AFP takes the lead in planning and execution, supported by the US Armed Forces with other like-minded nations as observers,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar announced yesterday.

“Balikatan 38-2023 will result in the development of the AFP capability not only in the conduct of external defense operations but also in fulfilling its obligation in working with other countries in the region against terrorism and other threats,” he added.

Aguilar said the AFP is grateful to Sens. Francis Tolentino, Francis Escudero and Sherwin Gatchalian for their support for the implementation of the EDCA, which “is in line with our treaty obligation as contained in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951.”

Since its signing in 2014, EDCA – according to Aguilar – has continuously facilitated the conduct of military exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations in support of the AFP’s mission.

“Likewise, with the threat of climate change, our partnership with modern and well-equipped countries such as the United States of America will develop the capability of our troops in executing HADR operations in times of natural calamities and disasters,” Aguilar said.

“In addition to capability development, our engagement with a friend and a long-time ally also brings economic activities and opportunities that will benefit the people of the host local government units,” he added.

Backing EDCA

More lawmakers, meanwhile, have voiced support for an expanded EDCA, with Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez saying it should be “further broadened” to deter “further aggression” by China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“I support that decision. It is in our national interest to pursue and expand our defense partnership with the US to deter further aggression from China in the WPS and possible Chinese seizure of islets that belong to us under international law,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

“More sites along our western seaboard, where Chinese aggression and harassment of our fishermen have been taking place, should be covered,” he pointed out.

Four more locations have been added to the current five Philippine bases where US troops would be allowed to operate under EDCA.

The five current locations are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.

EDCA is a supplemental element of the Visiting Forces Agreement which allows US troops to use Philippine bases on a rotational basis.

“I support the Philippine Air Force base at the former Lumbia airport in our city. I expect the US government to pour in more funds to develop and fully capacitate the air base,” Rodriguez said.

He also said the free ports in Subic, Zambales and in Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga, which are former US military bases, should be used for EDCA-related exercises and humanitarian activities.

“The presence of the US in the former US Navy base in Subic could deter Chinese Coast Guard and military vessels from driving away our fishermen from their traditional fishing grounds in Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc, which is near Zambales and Pangasinan,” he said.

He also proposed that Pag-asa Island off Palawan be included in areas open to US troops.

“We have an airstrip there. The DND (Department of National Defense) is also building a small port. We could ask our US counterparts to improve those facilities,” he added.

Oil exploration

Rodriguez said the expanded defense cooperation should prompt the Marcos administration to allow and support oil and gas exploration in Recto (Reed) Bank near Palawan.

He maintained that Recto Bank is “reportedly holding more oil and gas reserves than the Malampaya natural gas project, also located in Palawan.”

Currently, a local company with foreign partners holds the service contract for exploring oil and gas in Recto Bank.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said EDCA is definitely advantageous to countries prone to disaster like the Philippines.

“We are the most disaster-prone country in the world. There’s no question American troops and their equipment can help us in a big way in critical life-saving disaster relief and recovery operations,” Pimentel said.

He said the arrangement would ensure “immediate availability of US military personnel and logistics to assist the Philippines in responding to natural disasters.”

The 2022 World Risk Index has tagged the Philippines as the most disaster-prone among 193 countries, with extreme vulnerability to destructive typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flash floods, storm surges and landslides.

The senior Mindanao legislator is also counting on the EDCA’s full implementation “to boost the ability of Filipino and American military forces to effectively combine operations and act together when needed.” – Delon Porcalla, Sheila Crisostomo