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Wednesday, January 18, 2006
32 American soldiers join Balikatan in N. Cotabato
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Some 400 Filipino and American soldiers started their annual war games in North Cotabato Tuesday as part of counter-terrorism training aimed at helping Filipino troops hone their skills in the fight against al-Qaeda-linked terrorists.
Military officials said the military exercises, dubbed as Balance Piston 0682, involve small unit tactics, rifle marksmanship, combat lifesaver training, and field training exercises within the Philippine Army's Camp Lucero in Carmen, North Cotabato.
They added that American servicemen joining the military exercises would be confined mostly inside the military camp for the duration of their monthly stay in the province.
Colonel Ruperto Pabustan, chief of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade, said there are 32 US soldiers and 400 Filipino soldiers from the Army's 25th IB who will be participating in the exercise.
But a wire report, quoting military officials, said there are only 30 American and 60 Filipino soldiers who are taking part in the military exercises.
Pabustan said they are enforcing stricter rules on the giving of security pass to American soldiers in light of the controversial Subic rape case.
He said the US soldiers are only allowed to go out of the Army camp when they conduct medical mission in the neighboring areas.
Other than that, Pabustan said, the soldiers will remain inside the camp.
Major William Nagel, under the US Pacific Command Theatre Security Operation Program, heads the US contingent. The exercise will end on February 17.
The largest war maneuvers, called "Balikatan," are due to start next month on nearby Jolo Island. (With reports from AP)
(January 18, 2006 issue)
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