AFP defends decision not to allow civilians to pass through Crow Valley during 'Balikatan' exercises

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): AFP defends decision not to allow civilians to pass through Crow Valley during 'Balikatan' exercises

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday defended its decision not to allow civilians to pass through Crow Valley, Tarlac during live-fire exercises held there during the recently concluded "Balikatan" 2015 exercises.

"For more than a decade now, we have given civilians the privilege to pass through the Crow Valley military reservation to access their livelihood sources. However, we normally suspend this privilege every time our soldiers are conducting live-fire exercises," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.

He made this statement in wake of reports that Sen. Miriam Santiago is planning to conduct a Senate inquiry on economic losses suffered by civilians who were prevented from passing Crow Valley during the height of the "Balikatan" war games which started on April 20 and ended on the 30th.

"During the recent 'Balikatan' exercises, the organizers implemented movement restrictions within the military reservation to ensure that nobody among the civilians will be harmed by the live munitions that are used by the training participants," Cabunoc said.

He was referring to the joint Filipino and American military forces conduct a capability demonstration in Crow Valley, Tarlac as part of the combined arms live-fire exercise between the American and Filipino militaries held on April 30, the last day of the maneuvers.

"The Balikatan exercises are part of our obligations as a signatory of the Mutual Defense Treaty," he added.

The exercise demonstrates cooperation and inter-operability between the Philippines and the United States, consistent with Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

"It is also part of our preparation and training enhancement to improve our readiness for territorial defense and in addressing other national security concerns," the AFP public affairs office chief stressed.

"We will fully cooperate with the investigating body that will be tasked to look into this issue," Cabunoc added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763842