Filipino and American soldiers conducted live firing and counter-IED (improvised explosive devices) training during the first day of Balikatan 33-2017 in Luzon and Visayas regions, the US Embassy said Tuesday.
US Ambassador Sung Kim, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ariel Y. Abadilla, and representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military officially opened Balikatan 33 on Monday at Camp Aguinaldo.
The AFP and US forces “partnered to improve their counterterrorism capabilities to build safer communities and work towards the eradication of global terror networks,” the embassy statement said.
During Balikatan, US and Philippine forces conduct operational and counterterrorism training exercises in diverse areas of expertise, including live fire advanced marksmanship, counter-IEDs, maritime interdiction, and amphibious raids.
“Balikatan 33-2017 incorporates high value training events designed to enhance the capabilities of both AFP and US armed forces,” Kim said.
The training also focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counterterrorism operations to improve response effectiveness and speed in the event of natural disasters and other crises that endanger public health and safety, the ambassador said.
“No nation can face today’s challenges alone,” said Kim. “Whether a natural disaster ravages part of the world or a man-made crisis shocks a community, our two militaries can deliver much stronger responses together.”
In this year’s Balikatan, the Philippines and the United States will continue to collaborate with regional partner nations, and the AFP has invited military forces from several other nations to be part of the International Observers Program, including South Korea, East Timor, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
The 33rd iteration of Balikatan, scheduled from May 8 to 19, will take place at multiple locations in Luzon and the Visayas, according to the US Embassy.
Philippine and US forces began work in mid-April for Balikatan 33-2017 through community engagement activities in Panay, Leyte, and Samar, including the renovation of five schools and community medical engagements with residents.