More Participants for Philippines-US War Games: OfficialThe Philippine military said Thursday this year's Philippines-US war games, dubbed Balikatan, will involve a larger number of American and Filipino participants.Acting Philippine Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters that he expects around 6,000 to 7,000 Marines, Army and Navy personnel from both countries to join in the exercises. This will be the second war exercise since the Philippines-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement was ratified in May 1999. Ermita said there were only about 4,000 troops from the United States and the Philippines who took part in the exercise in January last year. The activity, which is aimed at training Filipino soldiers to new war technology, will be held from April 27 to May 10 in various military camps in the country. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |