“When Camp O’ Donnel was built, they drove away the Aetas. Now they (US and Philippine military) are expanding, and they are once again driving away Aetas.” – Edwin Danan, Central Luzon Aeta Association
Balikatan wargames expose us to constant dangers from live ammunition, unexploded ordnances, toxic by-products and from being targeted in war by US enemies.
Military trainings to develop interoperability are crucial for the US, especially when it is about to drag an ally to start or join its war. Also, military exercises such as Balikatan plays a role in US sales of arms.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Relying on US as treaty “partner” has not helped the Philippines to develop its own military capability; it is also not expected to be of help in engaging China militarily.
Sidebar: Opposition mounts as US increases military aid, sends nuclear submarine to Subic
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
The US-Philippines Balikatan exercises are also a bane against the environment.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Deceptions and misnomers cover the arrival, stay and conduct of US troops in the Philippines, as noted by progressive and patriotic groups who questioned, too, the very pretexts being used to expand US military presence in the country and in the region.
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com See Also: Soldiers maul protesters of US-RP military exercises Euphemisms increase with US military expansion MANILA — ‘Hypocrite,’ ‘shameless,’ ‘treacherous,’ ‘puppet.’ These are just some of the descriptions hurled at Philippine president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III this week by patriotic Filipino leaders. Holding two Lakbayan (protest caravans), one in Luzon and…
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA – Members of progressive youth groups Anakbayan and Gabriela Youth were assaulted in Maguindanao by unidentified military elements on Friday, April 13, during their protest at Camp Siongco where the 6th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is based. The youth groups’ protest was part of the…
Daybreak rally, protest caravans greet US-RP Balikatan exercises (Photo by Maybelle Gormate)
By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star In the past two days, I attended two similar but distinct commemorations, at UP Diliman on Tuesday and at Club Filipino yesterday. The events celebrated the 20th anniversary of the historic act by the post-Marcos-dictatorship Senate – on September 16, 1991 that ended the…
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“No matter how US Ambassador Harry Thomas tries to sugarcoat the Balikatan exercises, it is nothing but massive counterinsurgency operations by US troops in Philippine soil.” – League of Filipino Students