In a major escalation of war games near China, the armed forces of the Philippines and US troops are holding the largest annual Balikatan military exercises in history. From 11 to 28 April, 12,200 US military personnel, 5,400 Philippine forces and 111 Australian troops are taking part in the drills. Balikatan meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, the national language will be the first time Philippine and US forces engage in live-fire exercises at sea.
Amid the fierce objection of Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba Sr. to the opening of two areas in the province to US forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement 21 mayors have expressed support for the security arrangement, which is also in place in two other provinces.
In a statement dated April 20, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Cagayan Chapter, noted that mayors in Cagayan already backed the decision through a resolution in February.
The addition of four additional sites in Cagayan, Isabela and Palawan which US troops would have access to under the agreement has sparked warnings from China that this would destabilize regional peace and even jeopardize the welfare of overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.
“We would not agree to any kind of activity or even materiels not consistent with these agreed activities,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.