For years, the annual Balikatan exercises have benefited our people particularly in remote barangays in the country. People in these areas have had access to medical and dental health care even for only a short period, construction of much needed classrooms and other humanitarian assistance.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and other groups on the other hand continue with their protest over Balikatan because the United States is involved. But when China is bullying the Philippines like what is happening now in the Spratlys and Scarborough Shoal, the CPP makes no comment on the matter or make any move to protest against the intrusion of China.
Anyway, I hope that these groups will soon realize that the protests they are conducting are anti-people. Balikatan has served the Filipino populace and that is what matters the most. If they want to help their fellowmen, they should support activities such as Balikatan that help and improve the people’s lives. —