PH-US military exercises to be held near disputed isles in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines—The forthcoming military exercises jointly conducted by the Philippines and the United States will focus on “high value, high impact” exercises, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Thursday.

In a chance interview after the 115th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Gazmin said this year’s bilateral exercises, dubbed “Balikatan” (Shoulder to Shoulder), will include such activities as “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training” and “Human Assistance Disaster Response,” which he said will greatly benefit both countries.

“These are exercises that are of high value to us, both countries. Ito ’yong makakatulong sa atin. (These are what will help us),” Gazmin told reporters.

The Balikatan exercises will be held in Palawan near the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea from April 16 to 27.