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Friday, February 16, 2007
RP-US military exercises start in Sulu
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Construction equipment from a US base in Okinawa, Japan rolled down the streets from a barge that docked in Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday at the start of RP-US military exercises in the province dubbed the Balikatan 2007.
Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines spokesman Major John Redfield said the equipment would be used in the construction of infrastructure projects, a component of the exercise.
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Aside from the joint military exercise, American and Filipino soldiers who are participating in the exercises will also conduct medical outreach programs in the different parts of Sulu during the three-week exercises.
The joint military event is the first to be conducted this year. It would be followed by similar exercises in Tawi-Tawi and in Central Mindanao.
The infrastructure projects in the Sulu Balikatan include the repair of the four-kilometer Indanan road, schools, and hospitals.
Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong said he was glad that the activity is held in his province, adding that its humanitarian component would boost his arms-to-farms program.
Loong has embarked on a campaign for an intensified planting of crops to boost Sulu province's agricultural sector.
Troops were deployed to secure the US and Filipino forces who are involved in the conduct of Balikatan 2007 in Sulu. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (February 16, 2007 issue)
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