‘Balikatan’ resumes amid WPS tension
War games involve 1,000 Filpino soldiers and 700 American troops
Military forces of the Philippines and United States are set to resume their annual “Balikatan” exercises today amid the continuing presence of a large number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Armed Forces chief, told reporters that the exercises will involve more than 1,000 Filipino soldiers and about 700 American troops.
The exercises will be limited because of the ongoing pandemic, but drills with “scenarios” will be conducted as usual, Sobejana said.
“There will be field exercises but not as large as those done in previous Balikatan iterations,” he said, adding that there will also be virtual portions.
The exercises were ordered suspended last year in the face of dangers posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Pinilit nating ituloy ngayon (we pushed to hold it again although with some limitations,” Sobejana said.
Sobejana said 28 Chinese ships were still in the WPS as of Saturday.
The ships included vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG), maritime militia, and fishing vessels, he said.
A Philippine maritime patrol spotted two CCG ships near Pag-Asa Island and one in Ayungin Shoal, both off Palawan, while three were seen near Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales, Sobejana told reporters later.
Ten fishing vessels were seen at Ayungin, two in Pag-Asa, and eight at Bajo de Masinloc.
Another maritime patrol was being conducted Sunday at the Julian Felipe Reef, Sobejana said.
Julian Felipe Reef is where more than 200 Chinese vessels believed to be manned by maritime militia were spotted on 7 March. The number of vessels there dropped to 44 later in the month, but others were seen in nearby reefs and shoals.
In a statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his US counterpart, Secretary Lloyd Austin III, held a telephone conference Sunday to discuss various issues, including those concerning tension at WPS.
“The two defense chiefs discussed the situation in the West Philippine Sea and recent developments in regional security. Both are looking forward to the conduct of Exercise Balikatan, which was canceled last year,” the DND said.
In the conference, Austin reiterated the importance of the Visiting Forces Agreement and expressed hope that it would be continued.
Lorenzana committed to discussing the matter with President Rodrigo Duterte, the DND said.