Balikatan meets no resistance in Clark, N. Ecija
By Tonette Orejas
Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 20:55:00 02/20/2008
CLARK FREEPORT – Unlike in Mindanao, joint military exercises by Philippine and American troops in Clark and in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, have not been hounded by protests from residents.
“There are no protests. We are fortunate. The people here are wonderful and we are appreciative of their hospitality,” US Army Col. Ken Nava, public affairs officer of Task Force 294, a unit participating in the ongoing Balikatan exercises, said in a phone interview from Fort Magsaysay on Wednesday.
The alleged participation of US troops in attacks and killings in a Mindanao village has stirred resistance among residents and religious leaders there.
At least 550 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the 294th Infantry of the Guam National Guard, 2nd Battalion of the 200th Infantry Battalion of the New Mexico National Guard, and Charlie-15 Infantry in Alaska are participating in the training that began on Monday at the Army’s largest camp.
Maj. Fernando Los Banes, spokesperson of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, confirmed Nava’s report. “We’ve not been met with protests,” he said.
Troops from the same division and the 68th Infantry Battalion of the 2nd ID based in Southern Tagalog are participating in markmanship for M-14 rifles, sniping and combat life-saving.
US troops in Fort Magsaysay are scheduled to donate books and athletic equipment to schools in Barangays Doña Josefa and Soledad, and conduct dental services there.
8,000 soldiers
A total of 6,000 US troops and 2,000 Philippine soldiers are participating in this year’s Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) exercises in Mindanao, Crow Valley in Tarlac, Clark, Fort Magsaysay, Subic and Cavite.
In Clark, 500 pilots from the US Marines, Air Force and Army have begun training with 260 Filipino counterparts in the 15th Strike Wing, Air Defense Wing, 205th Helicopter Wing and 220th Heavy Airlift Wing, according to Lt. Col. Allan Ballesteros, Philippine Air Force spokesperson in Clark.
The training, called Combined Air Force Event, began on Tuesday.
Balikatan, the biggest of 30 or so exercises held annually between the two armed forces, is slated to end on March 3.
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