RP, US step up Balikatan venture with Asean, 2 nations By Michaela P. del Callar and Mario J. Mallari 03/08/2012

RP, US step up Balikatan venture with Asean, 2 nations

By Michaela P. del Callar and Mario J. Mallari 03/08/2012

For the first time, the joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States this year will include the participation of Southeast Asian nations and other states like Japan and Australia, but America’s top diplomat noted that the multilateral activity’s key focus would be on disaster management, not on the disputes in the South China Sea.

Some 4,500 US personnel and 2,300 participants from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will participate in the exercises and humanitarian activities from April 16 to 27. Joining them are representatives from some Asean nations, Japan, Australia and South Korea, it was learned.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas said the exercise is “unique” as “it is the first time that Balikatan will include multilateral engagement” but he was quick to point out that their participation would be limited to Command Post Exercises (CPX)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120308hed4.html