AFP chief sees 'Balikatan' becoming a multi-national military exercise

From the Philippine News Agency (May 16): AFP chief sees 'Balikatan' becoming a multi-national military exercise
 

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, sees "Balikatan" exercises becoming a multi-national military exercise.

Bautista, during the closing ceremonies of "Balikatan" Friday morning, said that this is possible as Australia, which recently inked a Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines, was one of the foreign participants in this year's activities.

"This year, we saw Australia participate and (other) friends and allies are (welcome) to participate. The only limitation is that (interested countries) must sign a Status of (Visiting) Forces Agreement like the US and the Australia," he added.

The AFP chief also stressed that this year's "Balikatan" exercises is a success as all of the training objectives were attained with no untoward incidents or mishaps.

"Of course our primary consideration is no accidents, and that was achieved and we were able to achieve the objectives of the training exercises. But more importantly, we are able to pursue the ends of the Mutual Defense Treaty, we're doing this after all because of the Mutual Defense Treaty as, to improve our interoperability," Bautista stressed.

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