The 2020 Baliktan exercises have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but their spirt of cooperation lives on as the US military has donated cots intended to be used during the war games to the Philippine's efforts agains the virus.
The United States government donated “nearly 1,300” new folding beds initially intended for its joint military exercise with the Philippines, to form part of the country’s coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) response.
Broken down, the US Embassy said “more than 1,100” cots were donated through the Office of Civil Defense, which was tasked by President Duterte to consolidate donations for COVID-19 contingency programs.
The balance of 150 went to the state-run Philippine General Hospital to be used by healthcare workers. PGH was designated by the health department as a hospital for caring of COVID-19 patients.
“I'm pleased to be able to hand over these new cots, on behalf of the US government, to our Philippine partners. We stand together with the Philippines, as both of our nations work to save lives and protect our people in the fight against COVID-19,” ambassador Sung Kim said in a statement on Friday.
The latest assistance came on top of $4 million, or nearly P204 million, in health assistance given earlier by the US to address the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, which has so far infected 4,076 people, 203 of whom died as of Thursday afternoon.
Among its Southeast Asian neighbors, the Philippines received the largest amount of financial assistance from the US in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, data showed.
The cots are part of a $4 million package which the US has given to the Philippines to fight COVID-19. This amount is larger than an other country in SEA has received. Just goes to show that the USA values the Philippines as a strategic partner in the region. It is too bad that the virus has now taken center stage and overshadowed everything including any possibility of renegotiating the VFA.
Diplomats and military officials from both countries are finding ways to salvage the vital troop deal, a senior Philippine military official told the Nikkei Asian Review, wary that a security vacuum could create an opening for Beijing's further military buildup and expansion in the South China Sea.
"Without a VFA, it puts at risk things like these engagements, like these exercises," U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Clarke Cooper said during a teleconference in February.
The agreement is a vital aspect of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which obliges Washington to defend Manila in the event of an external attack.
"The VFA enhances our interoperability with the U.S. military," the senior Philippine military official said. "It's like preparation for the time when the Mutual Defense Treaty needs to be invoked."
For the investment-starved Philippine military, it also means additional equipment.
From 2016 to 2019, which covers the first half of Duterte's six-year term, Washington's military funding for Manila amounted to $554 million, including $267 million in foreign military financing for the procurement of defense articles, Locsin said during a Senate hearing in February, when he spoke about the wide-ranging benefits to keeping the security alliance with the U.S.
Washington plans to spend more than $200 million in 2020 to 2021 for aircraft, training and equipment for the Philippines, and over $45 million in financing, according to Duterte's foreign minister.
His military, however, has not always been on board with the shift to Beijing. The defense establishment has subtly moved to scuttle Chinese investments they suspect as security risks, such as Chinese companies' bid to take over the bankrupt Hanjin shipyard in Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that opens to the South China Sea. When news emerged that Duterte had authorized the VFA termination, Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana called it "fake news."
For many, Manila's abrogation of the VFA is reminiscent of American troops' eviction from the Philippines in 1991.
That year, the Philippine Senate, by a one-vote margin, rejected to renew the Military Bases Agreement -- a remnant of the Cold War -- kicking out U.S. forces the following year until they completed their exit in 1995, Jose Antonio Custodio, a military historian and defense analyst, told Nikkei.
"Then in that very same year [1995], the Chinese entered into Mischief Reef," Custodio said, referring to one of several reclaimed islands in the South China Sea. "They decided to take advantage of the vacuum that the Americans have left."
Stung by China's takeover of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, the Philippines decided to modernize its military, which at that time was focused on fighting communist rebels and Islamic separatists in the southern part of the country. But alleged corruption and the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s hampered the costly modernization.
"The modernization actually died," Custodio said.
"If not for China's takeover of the Mischief Reef, I doubt there would be a VFA," he said. Albert del Rosario, foreign minister under President Benigno Aquino, has raised alarm over the possibility that ending the VFA could be a prelude to the termination of the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows U.S. military troop rotation and facilities construction in the Philippines, and ultimately the Mutual Defense Treaty.
But analysts say terminating the Mutual Defense Treaty will complicate the Philippines' other security partnerships, such as those with Japan and Australia, which are major allies of the U.S.
Yet, the U.S. and Philippine militaries have a robust relationship beyond the VFA, including intelligence sharing. In 2017, U.S. forces helped to kill the leader of the Maute group, Islamic State-aligned militants who for months laid siege in the southern city of Marawi.
The U.S. military is clearly reluctant to let go. "It's a little disappointing that -- at this point we value our alliance with the Philippines, we continue to operate together with the Philippine Navy, and we'll see where this current narrative goes," U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet John Aquilino said in a recent teleconference.
When asked if the alliance could survive this time, the senior military officer said: "Historically, it has survived."
The termination of the VFA is a complex problem which will have many far-flung and unforeseen consequences. If history is any measure China will not only continue with its activities in the WPS but increase them.
The Philippine government on Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over the reported sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat on the South China Sea.
According to a report from South China Morning Post, Vietnam had released a video showing a much larger Chinese maritime surveillance ship racing after a small wooden Vietnamese fishing boat near an oil rig in the contested waters.
The video footage taken from a nearby Vietnamese vessel showed the Chinese ship ramming into the smaller Vietnamese boat, causing it to turn over and sink.
"Our own similar experience revealed how much trust in a friendship is lost by it; and how much trust was created by Vietnam’s humanitarian act of directly saving the lives of our Filipino fishermen," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
This incident is not unlike that of last year when a Chinese vessel rammed a Philippine fishing ship. If you remember the Duterte administration cast some of the blame for that incident on the Filipino fishermen. Whatever the truth of that case and this new one it is simply more to worry about for the already beleaguered AFP.
"We call on the PRC to remain focused on supporting international efforts to combat the global pandemic, and to stop exploiting the distraction or vulnerability of other states to expand its unlawful claims in the South China Sea," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.
Vietnam – which, like China and Taiwan, claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands – called in a foreign ministry statement for Beijing to compensate the fishermen, "strictly discipline" the officers responsible and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The United States said it was "seriously concerned" about the episode.
"This incident is the latest in a long string of PRC actions to assert unlawful maritime claims and disadvantage its Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea," Ortagus said.
Seriously concerned but what will they do? Issue a strongly worded statement which China will ignore? Increase freedom of navigation operations?
The CPP-NPA declared a temporary ceasefire but the continue to violate it.
The Philippine Army has recovered four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) belonging to the New People’s Army in a remote village in Calbiga town, Samar province, stalling attempts of the communist terrorist group to attack government troops.
Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said soldiers of the 46th Infantry Battalion seized the IEDs in Hubasan village in Calbiga on Monday after they were tipped off by villagers.
Diñoso said troops went to the area acting on reports from concerned civilians that rebels plotted to ambush soldiers using IEDs that were placed along the only trail linking Hubasan to Binanggaran village, also in Calbiga.
The Philippine Army has condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) for their extortion activities in poverty-stricken communities of Northern Samar despite the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
The Philippine Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion reported that 15 members of the communist terrorist group forcefully collected food from residents of Lakandula village in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Tuesday.
Acting on reports from civilians, soldiers conducted a patrol operation to stop the NPA’s extortion activities, ensuing a brief gun battle around 2:50 p.m.
The encounter resulted in the wounding of one soldier while the NPA rebels are believed to have suffered casualties as evidenced by bloodstains found in the enemy's escape route, the Philippine Army said.
Another incident with the NPA stealing relief goods happened in Balangiga town in Eastern Samar.
The distribution of relief goods in Aroroy, Masbate was disrupted on Friday after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked government troopers.
Capt. John Paul Belleza, spokesman for the 9th Infantry Division, said soldiers of the Second Infantry Battalion and police officers were helping distribute relief goods in Barangay Cabas-an when they were fired at by around 15 NPA rebels.
In Samar, NPA guerrillas reportedly snatched food packs from barangay officials in Guinmayohan, Balangiga town on Tuesday.
Quoting witnesses, Col. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said NPA rebels led by a certain Gavino Guarino, alias Mael, swooped down on Sitio Bangon.
“The NPA action caused a shortage of relief packs... leaving other supposed beneficiaries with nothing,” Ligayo said.
However local officials said this incident did not happen.
The local officials of the municipality of Balangiga in Eastern Samar have rebuffed the news story carried by PTV News that “Communists NPA terrorists (CNTs) swooped down on Sitio Bangon, Barangay Guinmayohan around 9:00 AM of April 7, 2020 and took away relief good intended for the people.”
“We have not received such reports from the locals,” said Balangiga mayor Randy Graza adding that if the news story were true there should have been local residents or barangay officials informing him about it.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, Judith D. Alde, also confirmed that the alleged seizing of the goods by the members of the New People’s Army did not happen.
She told ESTE News that she arrived at Brgy Guinmaayohan shortly after 9AM on April 7, 2020 and distributed the goods peacefully to family representatives of Sitio Bangon together with other MDRRMC staff and barangay officials.
“You may check every family in the barangay and no one can attest that the incident happened. In fact, all of our intended recipients received the food items,” said Adela Ogale, the barangay captain of Guinmaayohan.
Mayor Graza added that they are conducting investigation on the news report. The Municipal Peace and Order Council is set to meet on Monday to discuss and release the result of investigation in an official statement.
Very interesting. Did the AFP make it up? Are locals protecting the NPA? The NPA continues to directly attack the AFP in brief clashes.
Two suspected communist insurgents were captured on Good Friday afternoon, April 10, after a short exchange of fire with government soldiers in Masbate province's Aroroy town.
A military report indicated that about 15 New People's Army fighters fired at soldiers assisting in relief operations to residents of Barangay Cabas-an in Aroroy, forcing government troops to retaliate.
The ensuing firefight lasted for about five minutes before the attackers withdrew to escape.
Soldiers recovered from the clash site a cal. 45 hand gun, two homemade shotguns, one carbine rifle, anti-personnel mines, and assorted ammunition
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang on Sunday said the recent attack of New People’s Army (NPA) on Army soldiers in Baganga town here is a clear manifestation of their reputation as terrorists and anti-people amid the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
He added that the violent attack on of five NPA members who open fired at soldiers belonging to the 67th Infantry Battalion while conducting security patrol at Barangay Mahan-ub on April 11 is a lesson learned that the government must no longer talk or make arrangements with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and NPA.
The military troops were reportedly in the barangay to respond to residents’ reports that they were being forced by the armed communists to give them some of the relief goods given to them by the government.
A 10-minute firefight ensued between the soldiers led by 2nd Lieutenant Joseph de Leon and the NPA group There was no casualty on the government side while the NPA rebels scampered and managed to escape.
Truly the NPA's declared
ceasefire
is meaningless. Nonexistent in fact.
Abu Sayyaf is also still continuing their fight.
Three suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while two soldiers were wounded in a military offensive in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu on Saturday.
Several bandits were also believed wounded in the attack launched by troopers from the Army's 6th Special Forces Battalion, according to Capt. Rex Payot, spokesman for the Army's 11th Infantry Division based in Jolo.
Troopers encountered more than 30 followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Sitio Gabang, Barangay Kaunayan at around 5 a.m., Payot said.
Sawadjaan and his followers had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terror group.
He was blamed for several bomb attacks in Sulu last year.
The firefight lasted 35 minutes before the bandits retreated in different directions, taking with them their wounded and slain comrades.
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of Army’s 11th Infantry Division, gave the assurance that the momentum to eradicate the Abu Sayyaf would continue even amid the government’s fight to contain the coronavirus disease 2019.
In addition to terrorists the AFP is having to be wary of fake soldiers.
A team of police and Army personnel on Friday afternoon arrested at least 16 alleged “fake” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reservists who claimed they were deployed to help secure the relief supplies at the city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao here.
Col. Aden Lagradante, city police director, said on Saturday the suspects, who were unarmed but clad in Army camouflage uniforms, showed up and manned the security posts at the gym without proper coordination.
Lagradante said the men claimed that they were detailed to help provide security to city government personnel and the relief goods stored at the facility.
He said they initially received information from concerned residents about the “suspicious” presence of the group at the city gym compound and immediately coordinated the matter with the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan.
The fight against Islamic and communist terrorists is mostly waged with guns. Sometimes other weapons or skills are used. Like farming.
Military troops belonging to the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB) have started teaching former rebels the various methods of farming and animal raising so that they could earn a living without depending much on financial assistance coming from the government.
Lt. Col. Ronaldo Valdez, 73IB commanding officer, on Saturday said the hands-on training for the rebel returnees aims to enhance their skills in farming and other forms of economic activities.
The training is given under the “Balik-Loob Program” of the government as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and through Executive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in ending armed conflict in the country.
E-CLIP is the program
that is supposed
to end the insurgency
by bribing rebels to surrender in exchange
for cash and other freebies. Surprisingly the AFP is also using money to fight COVID-19. How? By having all AFP personnel donate a percentage of their pay to the government's efforts.
All regular officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will donate a portion of their base pay to help the government deal with the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.
This came after President Rodrigo Duterte, in a televised address on Monday night, said the government would not have sufficient funds to completely deal with the disease's massive impact.
"In commiserating with our kababayans who were unfortunate to contract the disease; and as a manifestation of full support to government, each regular member of the AFP – from the highest-ranking general to the lowest-ranking personnel – will donate an amount based from a certain percentage deduction from their respective base pays for the month of May,” AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement forward to reporters Tuesday afternoon.
“Since their salaries for the month of April are already out for payment, the donation – deductible from their base pays for the month of May – will be available by the third week of April," he added.
Arevalo said the base pay deduction would be equitable according to rank, with AFP chief-of-staff, Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. contributing PHP10,484 and the lowest ranking soldier with the rank of private, airman, or an apprentice seaman donating PHP100.
“With this amount drawn from our individual base pays for a month, we hope to help augment scarce government resources,” he said.
The AFP initiative is expected to raise PHP16,953,490.04, which will then be turned over to the Office of Civil Defense to procure medical supplies and equipment.
"Through this humble gesture of AFP solidarity and unwavering support to the government it is sworn to protect and defend, we aim to share the burden in the nation’s fight against this contagion," Santos added.
Is this a humble gesture of AFP solidarity or is it the government taking money from AFP soldiers in an effort to cover its butt? Perhaps if
P14 billion was not given to the Department of Tourism the government would have a little more money to fight the virus. From fighting terrorists to having a portion of their pay taken to fill government coffers the AFP continues to shoulder a burden others do not.
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