From InterAksyon (Nov 15): WAR GAMES | RP-US Balance Piston reels off
Month-long war exercises in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan reeled off Nov. 14 between the Philippine Army and its US counterpart, shortly after President Duterte softened his belligerence toward the US after President-elect Donald Trump's victory.
This Philippine Army's training engagement with the US Special Operations Forces is called "Balance Piston 16-4," Army spokesman Colonel Benjamin Hao said.
The annual training event is meant to hone the Filipino soldiers' skills in basic war fighting and to improve the relationship of the two armed forces, he added.
Only a small unit of soldiers – 30 to 40 personnel – are involved, he said. "I don't know how many from the US side."
Live firing during the training has been reduced in terms of volume, Hao said, "in line with the guidance from higher headquarters to scale down live firing. But, definitely, there would be marksmanship training inside camp because you have to improve your marksmanship skills."
There will be no actual field fire during the training, Hao said.
Before the US presidential elections, Duterte threatened to sever ties with Washington, and work to abrogate military treaties. He also spoke harshly of outgoing President Barrack Obama.
Duterte's mood softened after Trump's triumph, calling the president-elect to congratulate him. To media's comparing him to Trump, Duterte said he deemed himself "just a molecule" compared to the billionaire real estate mogul and reality TV show host.
http://interaksyon.com/article/134340/war-games--rp-us-balance-piston-reels-off
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