No venue and date yet for Balikatan 03-1, says Reyes

Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes yesterday reiterated that the Balikatan 03-1 joint military exercise is definitely still on even though the United States and the Philippines have yet to decide when and where to hold it.

"It will still push through. What we said is that it would not be held in Sulu, but we are examining other options as to the site, the timing and the nature of the exercise in terms of how many days, how much of it would be humanitarian assistance and developmental work, and the type of training component that would be included," said Reyes.

Reyes added that though North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol has strongly recommended that the joint military exercise be held in his province, Reyes said they are still considering other areas as possible venues.

Sulu was scrapped from the list of possible areas for the conduct of the Balikatan exercise following objections from residents.

Last week, Malacañang received a resolution signed by the governors of Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (MIMAROPA) requesting President Arroyo to order the holding of the Balikatan exercise in their region to be hosted by Occidental Mindoro.

The Balikatan 03-1 turned controversial after US Defense officials pushed for allowing American soldiers to join actual combat, which is in violation of the Philippine Constitution.