January 29, 2000, The Philippine Star, RP-US 'Balikatan 2000' launched, by Paolo Romero,

January 29, 2000, The Philippine Star, RP-US 'Balikatan 2000' launched, by Paolo Romero, 

The Philippines and the US launched yesterday large-scale joint military
exercises called "Balikatan 2000" aimed at bolstering their capability to deal
with regional security crises.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and US chargé d'affaires Michael
Malinowski said the resumption of the "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder)
exercises after a five-year lull would also strengthen bilateral defense ties.

The launching came amid a renewed word war between Manila and Beijing over
territorial disputes on South China Sea islands and threats by communist
guerrillas to harm US troops taking part in the month-long maneuvers, which
start Monday.

Mercado, in a speech at the opening rites at Camp Aguinaldo, said a strong
alliance with the US is vital in maintaining peace and stability in the
region.

"The role of the US in maintaining peace has become more important, if not
decisive, than ever before," he said. "The next 10 to 20 years will witness
intense competition for trade opportunities and economic resources in our
region."

Mercado said peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region are indispensable
if the Philippines expects to benefit from the technological and economic leaps
that intense competition will bring this century.

"Only in a region where no single emerging power can marginalize its developing
neighbors can we share in the region's prosperity," he said.

Malinowski said the war games "serve as a visible, significant demonstration of
continued US commitment to regional stability.

"Knowing that the US and Philippine militaries are working closely together to
enhance capabilities will foster continuity and stability in the midst of
regional change and transition," he said.

Mercado said the maneuvers, involving more than 2,500 US soldiers and 2,393
Filipino troops, were not aimed at any particular country.

It was an apparent reference to the Philippines' diplomatic tussle with China
over alleged incursions by Chinese fishing boats in territory claimed by Manila
in the Spratly archipelago and nearby Scarborough Shoal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest Thursday over the
latest intrusion and Philippine Navy men boarded two Chinese fishing vessels
caught on Scarborough Shoal, just 128 nautical miles off Zambales.

"This bilateral exercise is not meant to deliver any message to any country
specifically," Mercado said. "The only message that we are sending the world is
that the alliance between the US and the Philippines is alive."

He said the joint war games "are meant to prepare the Philippines and the US
for the most likely contingencies that might require the use of our respective
military resources."

Such emergencies do not refer only to military conflicts but also include
natural disasters and political upheavals, he said.

Malinowsky said the exercises "will serve as a visible, significant
demonstration of continued US commitment to regional stability."

Defense ties chilled when the Philippine Senate voted against the renewal of US
basing rights in 1991, leading to the withdrawal of US forces from strategic
air and naval bases the following year.

"We are trying to make our forces better able to respond to whatever
emergencies that may come up," he said.

The exercises will be held at the Fort Magsaysay Army camp in Laur, Nueva
Ecija, at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in
Zambales, in Palawan and Sangley Point in Cavite.

Aside from amphibious landings and live-fire exercises, the troops will also
participate in medical and dental operations as well as construction of school
buildings and artesian wells.

The launching of the war games yesterday was highlighted by the delivery of 300
M-35 military trucks by the US to the Philippines.

Malinowski said 30 of the trucks were already shipped straight to East Timor
for use of the United Nations peacekeeping force led by Lt. Gen. Jaime de los
Santos.

A coast guard cutter is also expected to arrive in the Philippines as part of
the continuing US military assistance under the excess defense articles
program.

"There will be a variety of items. We will work this out together to see what
is available and what the Philippines needs," the US Embassy official said.

Senator questions legality of war games

Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona questioned yesterday the legality of
holding joint military exercises based on a pending case filed before the
Supreme Court.

"The executive department should have given due respect to the High Court which
has yet to rule on the legality of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)," he
said.

The veteran lawmaker noted that while the foreign affairs and defense
departments already issued official statements on the guidelines and conduct of
exercises, it was still unclear how violators would be penalized, given what he
called the inequitable provisions on jurisdiction over US soldiers.

Guingona said if the war games push through, the government must exert all its
effort in preventing possible harm to civilians in the vicinity of the
exercise.

He suggested that emergency rescue teams be on hand during the war games to
ensure the safety of both troops and civilians,

"Concerned agencies and participating troops must cooperate and coordinate with
each other to lessen the risk of accidents," Guingona said.

The annual exercises were suspended in 1996 due to a dispute on which
government would have legal jurisdiction over US servicemen participating in
the war games. The dispute was resolved when the Philippine Senate ratified the
VFA in May last year.

Communist guerrillas terminated peace talks with the government after the
agreement was signed, alleging that the joint exercises might be used by the
government in its anti-insurgency drive.

Left-wing groups vowed to hound the war games with protest rallies. Communist
guerrillas had earlier issued threats that the visiting troops were "legitimate
targets" for attack.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said 500 Filipino soldiers will
be stationed around the various venues of the exercises to guard against
communist attacks.

Mercado said they were hoping to have "peaceful exercises," stressing that most
of the exercises will be confined to tightly guarded military bases.

"We have a threat by the communist party and (its armed wing) the New People's
Army (NPA) who are saying they would make actions to prevent the exercises,"
Mercado said. "These acts of terrorism should not undermine our efforts
at inviting foreign troops."

Mercado noted that the "terrorist groups" were looking to use the exercises as
"propaganda" to bolster the insurgency.

In Pampanga, the militant Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) has
mobilized some 1,000 members and supporters in its plan to stage protests
simultaneous with the military exercises.

The KDP has scheduled a whole-day "caravan mob rally" through Central Luzon's
major towns on Jan. 31, when some 200 US soldiers are expected to arrive for a
seminar in Clark Field.

The caravan, dubbed Sakay-Lakbay para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan, or "Sakbayan
II," will start from various points, including Balanga, Bataan; Subic Freeport,
Zambales; Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; and Malolos, Bulacan. The protesters will
converge in San Fernando in Pampanga before proceeding to Plaza Miranda in
Angeles City.

KPD officials said over 100 vehicles are expected to join the caravan. -
With reports from Ding Cervantes, Perseus Echeminada, Edith Regalado, Aurea
Calica, Jaime Laude, wires