By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said Filipino and American troops taking part in this year’s Balikatan exercises have rescued and aided six civilians who got involved in a vehicular accident in Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan last April 20.
“Four casualties were immediately extricated from a cement-loaded truck that lost control and plunged into a ravine, and were transported to a nearby hospital. Two others, initially trapped and assessed with life-threatening injuries, were later rescued and airlifted by a US HH-60 ‘Black Hawk’ helicopter to a higher-level medical facility for advanced treatment,” it added.
The AFP also said that US Marine Corps personnel in the area witnessed the incident and rendered initial assistance even as troops from 17th Infantry Battalion under Joint Task Force Tala, reinforced rescue efforts and coordinated with the Philippine National Police for investigation.
All individuals involved in the mishap were confirmed to be Filipino civilians, with no military personnel affected.
“The response highlights the real-world value of Exercise ‘Balikatan’ 41-2026, demonstrating how joint training, interoperability, and readiness translate into rapid, life-saving response and a shared commitment to protecting communities,” the AFP said.
This year’s Balikatan formally started on Monday (April 20) and will end on May 8.
Around 17,000 troopers from the militaries of the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France and New Zealand will be taking part in these series of drills.
Balikatan an action of sovereign nations
As this developed, a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday dismissed Chinese claims that the annual exercises causes division and confrontation in the Asia-Pacific Region.
“First and foremost, we have to understand that the actions of the government of the Republic of the Philippines are one of a sovereign state. Meaning to say, we are allowed to engage any like-minded country, like-minded states in furtherance of our national interest,” PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in an interview with reporters.
Likewise, Trinidad said Balikatan or any other exercises are part of the ongoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program and the country’s defense diplomat.
“These are all geared towards making the AFP more modern, more multi-capable. They are not designed against any particular country. They are defensive in nature, meaning to say all the projects under our program for modernization are designed to be able to secure and to protect what is rightfully and legally ours,” he added.
Trinidad also said the Philippines has no intention of claiming what is not part of its territory.
“We are not disrupting the peace in the region. On the other hand, the constant war rhetoric of the Chinese Communist Party, their rapid military build-up and their illegal presence, coercive, aggressive actions and deceptive messaging have been the reasons for instability in the region,” the PN official said. (PNA)
