Why is Balikatan in Northern Luzon?

From Malaya Business Insight (Feb 8, 2023): Why is Balikatan in Northern Luzon? (By Malaya Business Insight)

THE military establishments of both the Philippines and the United States are gearing up for the conduct of the 38th iteration of the “Balikatan” exercise in April.

Balikatan is an annual military exercise between the US military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which is held in specific areas in the mountains and seas, shorelines and lakes of the Philippines. The word “Balikatan” itself means “shoulder-to-shoulder” and aptly describes the strong military alliance and cooperation between the two countries. The term therefore reflects the spirit of cooperation between the participants of these war games, and seeks to inspire them to adhere to such binding spirit if and when the real war occurs and they find themselves fighting together on one side.

Almost a year ago, the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps performed an amphibious landing exercise in Claveria, Cagayan on March 31, 2022 as part of the 37th Balikatan exercises. This year, Cagayan province and other parts of Northern Luzon will again host the said exercises, albeit with grudging complaints coming from several local officials.

‘It is no secret that the geopolitical tension in the Taiwan Strait between China and Taiwan has been a cause for concern for the Asia-Pacific region including the US, and that the repeated conduct of war games in Philippine seas very near this flashpoint area might be seen by China as a provocation.’

The largest annual military exercises of the AFP with the US Armed Forces will roll out in April. Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesman, said last Monday that although this is a bilateral activity, the AFP takes the lead in planning and execution, supported by the US Armed Forces with other like-minded nations as observers.

“Balikatan 38-2023 will result in the development of the AFP capability not only in the conduct of external defense operations but also in fulfilling its obligation in working with other countries in the region against terrorism and other threats,” he added.

The tentative schedule for the conduct of the exercise is in the second week of April in the areas covered by the Palawan-based Western Command, Cebu-based Visayas Command, and Tarlac-based Northern Luzon Command, according to Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office.

Lt. Gen. George W. Smith Jr., commanding general of the US Marine Expeditionary Force, visited the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Feb. 3 to discuss the preparations for the Balikatan.

While details are still being ironed out between the two camps, the government’s Philippine News Agency (PNA) already announced that around 16,000 Filipino and American troops are set to join this year’s Balikatan which will be hosted by Ilocos Norte, Fuga Islands, Calayan Island in Cagayan, and Batanes.

Last year, Balikatan registered the highest number of participants with 8,900 servicemen joining the training as well as 40 observers from the Australian Defense Force.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba, meanwhile, has aired his reservations on the AFP’s choice of Cagayan and Northern Luzon for these exercises, saying the Cagayanons who are peace-loving people are alarmed at the presence of warships, tanks and soldiers in their province and region which are very near Taiwan.

It is no secret that the geopolitical tension in the Taiwan Strait between China and Taiwan has been a cause for concern for the Asia-Pacific region including the US, and that the repeated conduct of war games in Philippine seas very near this flashpoint area might be seen by China as a provocation.

The AFP should realize the calculated risk that they are facing in joining these exercises in areas so close to the hot spot, and therefore should prioritize caution and restraint in joining this activity.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_opinion/why-is-balikatan-in-northern-luzon/