24th RP-US Balikatan kicks off Sunday
01/31/2008 | 04:35 PM
Balikatan 2008, a Philippine-US bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise, will kick off on February 3 until March, the US Embassy in Manila announced Thursday.
During Balikatan 2008, Filipino and American troops would launch humanitarian assistance projects in Central and Western Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago and Palawan. They will offer free medical, dental and veterinary care and construct and repair schools and other community infrastructure in communities most in need of assistance.
The military drill would focus on training both of Filipino and American troops to provide relief and assistance together during natural disasters and other crises that endanger public health and safety.
Military service members of the two countries would conduct combined staff exercises and field training in Luzon and Palawan to improve contingency planning and strengthen maritime security. US Navy ship visits and a Joint/Combined Exchange Training exercise would be held in several locations in the Philippines.
“These humanitarian assistance and training activities enable our soldiers to get to know each other, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is greatest," said US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney. “True to the meaning of the word Balikatan, this exercise entails Philippine and US forces shouldering the load together to help the greatest possible number of people in need."
Balikatan 2008 will be the 24th annual event of its kind held under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
For additional information, contact the US Embassy Public Affairs Office at (632) 301-2363 or via e-mail to mnlinfooffice@state.gov. - GMANews.TV
During Balikatan 2008, Filipino and American troops would launch humanitarian assistance projects in Central and Western Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago and Palawan. They will offer free medical, dental and veterinary care and construct and repair schools and other community infrastructure in communities most in need of assistance.
The military drill would focus on training both of Filipino and American troops to provide relief and assistance together during natural disasters and other crises that endanger public health and safety.
Military service members of the two countries would conduct combined staff exercises and field training in Luzon and Palawan to improve contingency planning and strengthen maritime security. US Navy ship visits and a Joint/Combined Exchange Training exercise would be held in several locations in the Philippines.
“These humanitarian assistance and training activities enable our soldiers to get to know each other, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is greatest," said US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney. “True to the meaning of the word Balikatan, this exercise entails Philippine and US forces shouldering the load together to help the greatest possible number of people in need."
Balikatan 2008 will be the 24th annual event of its kind held under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
For additional information, contact the US Embassy Public Affairs Office at (632) 301-2363 or via e-mail to mnlinfooffice@state.gov. - GMANews.TV
