CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur --- The Bicol Region has been considered as the latest site for the conduct of “Balikatan 2009,” a humanitarian mission being carried out jointly by the Philippine and the United States governments.

        In fact, last October 8–11, 2008 the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Technical Working Group of the RP–US Balikatan 2009 and a contingent from the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army already conducted a site survey of the calamity prone areas in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Camarines Sur.

        Balikatan 2009 will mainly focus on medical and dental mission, veterinary and some engineering activities like construction of water system, school buildings and repair of roads.

        Major Christopher A. Morales, PA spokesman and Chief of the Division Public Affairs Office, 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army, explained that Balikatan is an annual bilateral RP/US exercises committed to promote interoperability, security and stability.

        The Philippines and the US have a long relationship which includes the more than 57–year Mutual Defense Treaty which was signed in 1957, the longest in RP/US history. Under the Visiting Forces Agreement that the two countries signed, the U.S. will continue to honor its commitment to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

        According to Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Sodusta, Commander of 9ID, the feasible conduct of humanitarian activity as part of Balikatan 2009 (shoulder – to – shoulder) here in Bicol Region will bring improvement to the community particularly in uplifting the living and health condition of the residents in areas covered by the joint exercises. He stressed that the joint activity in Bicol is not meant to be military training exercise but a humanitarian and charitable gesture aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people, especially those who are in need of government support and assistance in terms of health care and infrastructure and livelihood development.


AN RP – US BALIKATAN team confers with civilians (left photo) as its members visit possible sites to be covered by the 6-monh joint humanitarian mission in Bicol. Engineers from a US contingent (right photo) survey a road to be recommended for rehabilitation when the Balikatan exercises formally start.

PA PHOTO