This year’s Balikatan exercises between Philippine and US troops will push through despite the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, the military said Wednesday.
Armed Forces spokesman Edgard Arevalo said the Balikatan exercises will take place in May, noting that it is within the 180-day period that the VFA would still be in effect.
“It will push through as scheduled,” Arevalo said.
“Walang mababawas sa original na plano ng number of attendees unless sa last minute may magsasabi na magbabago.”
Arevalo said 10,875 contingents from the Philippines and other countries will participate in the exercises.
Of that number, 4,302 soldiers will come from the AFP, 6,529 from the US forces and 44 others from Australia, Arevalo said.
President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered the termination of the VFA following the cancellation of the US visa of his ally, Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
The AFP has been saying that the Philippine military will survive without assistance from its US counterparts as it can get aid from other countries.
“May tulong tayo na na-establish sa ibang bansa… hindi po mahirap na mabigyan tayo ng tulong, Arevalo said.
He said the Philippines was not solely dependent on the US, especially on matters involving territorial defense.
“I’d like to correct the impression that we are entirely dependent on the United States for territorial defense. No,” Arevalo said.
“Mutualism is our relationship with other countries and not symbiotic.”
Arevalo said the Philippine military would be self-reliant in doing its duty of protecting the state and its interests.