US sharing PHL techniques in Balikatan with other allies

From GMA News (Apr 30): US sharing PHL techniques in Balikatan with other allies

The United States troops are sharing whatever they learned from their Filipino counterparts in the Balikatan joint military exercises with their allies from other countries, a US military official said on Wednesday.

"We can assure you that we are using what we have learned from our Filipino counterparts in helping other countries,” said Col. David Womack in a statement. Womack is the commander of the US Army contingent in the Balikatan exercises.

Womack said the US soldiers are also better as the two sides exchanged knowledge and skills during the military exercises. He said among the things the US side learned were techniques in responding to disasters.

However, Col. Laurence Mina, commander of Philippine Army contingent, said the US troops were particularly interested in jungle survival skills.

Mina said soldiers from the Philippines and US also developed a bond.

“Balikatan is not only about the military exercises, it is also about our friendship,” said Mina.

The exercise, which involved more than 11,500 Filipino and US troops.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/478834/news/nation/us-sharing-phl-techniques-in-balikatan-with-other-allies