http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/05/05/1319603/focused-maritime-security-philippines-us-war-games-begin
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States on Monday kicked off their joint military exercises also known as "Balikatan" amid the increasing tensions in the disputed South China Sea.
General Emmanuel Bautista, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, said this year's Balikatan is focused on maritime security and aims to improve regional engagement, military capabilities and interoperability and capacity in joint planning and execution.
"Balikatan demonstrates that while the Philippines and the United States are mutually guided by the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts, we shall develop our collective capacity to meet any threat to undermine peace and security," Bautista said in his televised speech as he formally opened the war games.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario also said that joint exercises like Balikatan are "important elements" in the Philippines' efforts to secure and defend its people and territory.
"In recent years, tensions in the Asia Pacific region have increased due to excessive and expansive maritime and territorial claims undermining the rule of law. Aggressive patterns of behavior aimed at changing the status quo threatened peace and stability in the region," Del Rosario said in his keynote speech.
Balikatan arose from the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States requiring both nations to maintain and develop capacities to resist armed attacks.
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According to a STAR report, around 3,000 Filipino troops and 2,500 American soldiers are expected to join the exercises in various camps nationwide.
The 30th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise, this year's Balikatan will end on May 16.
Aside from maritime security, the 2014 Balikatan also seeks to enhance military capabilities for disaster response, according to Bautista and Del Rosario.
The opening of the 2014 Balikatan comes a week after the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed by the Philippines and the US amid China's growing assertiveness in the region.
The EDCA seeks to increase the rotational presence of American troops here who will be provided with greater access to local military facilities.
The defense pact was signed on the same day President Barack Obama visited the country to assure the United States' commitment to defend its treaty ally.
"[O]ur commitment to defend the Philippines is ironclad. And the United States will keep that commitment 'cause allies do not stand alone," Obama said in his speech before American and Filipino soldiers last week.
Obama reiterated that nations' sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected and that international law and freedom of navigation must be upheld.
He added that the territorial disputes must be resolved peacefully and not by intimidation or force.
The American leader, however, denied that the US intends to "counter" or "contain" China with its recent moves.
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