News Release

BALIKATAN EXERCISES’ HUMANITARIAN MISSION KICKS OFF

SORSOGON PROVINCE (April 3) – A simple ceremony yesterday, April 2, commenced the official and formal opening of the RP-US Balikatan Exercises’ humanitarian missions to be conducted this April in two priority towns here.

The simple program was held in Brgy. Guruyan, Juban, one of the identified recipient barangays of the joint military forces’ engineering and medical missions.

In Sorsogon, Brgy. Guruyan in Juban and Brgy. Patag in Irosin were among the identified priority areas to receive health assistance, school buildings and road component projects.

Aside from Sorsogon, the provinces of Albay and Masbate were also identified as concerned areas in the Bicol region and are also beneficiaries of said infrastructure and medical projects.

Juban Mayor Ma. Teresa Fragata said that officials of the recipient barangays were glad and thankful having in mind the benefits that the mission would provide for them. However, they are apprehensive of possible armed confrontations between military and communist terrorists in the midst of project implementation that may harmly affect or hurt civilians.

With this apprehension, she assured the local residents that the US-RP military groups who will be here are purely on a humanitarian mission and is non-combatant. “They will only stay here for a short period of time, and just like visitors, let us warmly welcome them,” she said.

Asked about her position toward protesters, Fragata said that she would not bar any groups or organizations from holding protests against the conduct of Balikatan Exercises. “I believe rights and beliefs of every individual or groups must be respected,” she added.

“In fact, I have issued permits to hold protests to some militant groups here, and my office remains open to issuing permits to anyone who desires to hold the same,” Fragata said.

However, she made an appeal to protesters to maintain sobriety and peace, and to New People’s Army (NPA) to ward off armed confrontations particular in areas where there are civilians.

She also calls for the public to be more candid, supportive but vigilant while the assistance projects are going on.

Meanwhile, the 901st Infantry Brigade of Philippine Army, is confident that following the massive information drive they conducted to the public, including as well to the Provincial Peace and Order Councils of Albay , Masbate and Sorsogon, and even during the recently concluded Youth Day Camp in Albay, more Bicolanos have understood and will become more generous to give their share in the conduct of RP-US humanitarian missions in the region.

The 2009 RP-US mutual defense treaty or Balikatan Exercises are inclusions under the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, which will cover both humanitarian and civic assistance projects for one-month period to be conducted by both Philippine and American military forces. (Bennie A. Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)