Balikatan exercises to push through on April 5 By Mario J. Mallari 03/19/2011

Balikatan exercises to push through on April 5

By Mario J. Mallari 03/19/2011

The ongoing massive disaster response operations in Japan, where United States servicemen are now involved, will not hinder the holding of next month’s joint Balikatan exercises between the Philippine and US militaries, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday.

At a press briefing, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said that the RP-US Balikatan exercises scheduled on April 5 to 15 will push through in spite of the series on incidents in Japan where a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck last March 11, triggering tsunami resulting in massive destruction.

Explosions were also recorded from nuclear power plants in Japan’s northeastern part, sparking threat of possible radiation leak.

“We would like to inform everyone that even if there is series of disasters in Japan right now, the Balikatan will push through… at this time, we see no reason why it will not push through,” said Mabanta..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110319nat7.html