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Philippines-U.S Balikatan 2009 Emphasizes Humanitarian Assistance

Filipino-American Mario Vinoya, assistant dental technician of the Combat Logistics Battalion-31, 31st U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit, consoles a local boy after a tooth extraction during a medical civic action project on April 17 at San Juan Elementary School in Ternate Cavite. Vinoya is one of many Philippine-born soldiers in the U.S. armed forces participating in Balikatan ’09, an annual training event between the RP and U.S. This year’s Balikatan, which emphasizes humanitarian assistance, provides free medical, dental, and veterinary care, as well as constructs and repairs schools and other community infrastructure in areas most in need of assistance. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cristina N. Gil)
The co-directors of Exercise Balikatan 2009, Philippine Navy Commodore Ramon P. Espera, Jr. and U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, unfurl the official Mutual Defense Treaty flag during the Balikatan 2009 opening ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo April 16 in Quezon City. The joint U.S.-Philippine military exercises, which take place until April 30, emphasize humanitarian assistance activities in Bicol, central Luzon, and Zamboanga. Balikatan is one of the many bilateral activities that the 57-year-old U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty has fostered. The annual exercises allow the Philippine and U.S. militaries to learn from one another as well as help local communities. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cristina N. Gil)
Residents of Tabaco City in the Bicol region greet U.S. Marines with signs of support for Balikatan 2009 as the first U.S. troops arrived on April 1 at the city’s port. Philippine and U.S. troops are taking part in the annual humanitarian-assistance and training exercise, which allows the Philippine and U.S. militaries to learn from one another as well as help local communities. This year’s joint exercises formally began on April 16, but preliminary work began in early April in communities recommended by the Philippine Department of National Defense. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jose E. Castellonlopez)
Philippine Navy Seabees, U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Marines work together to raise and secure a supporting beam for a roof on a new high school building in Sorsogon Province of the Bicol region. Construction of the new school building, which will take approximately 30 days and provide space for about 75 students, is part of Balikatan, the annual Philippine-U.S. joint military assistance and training exercise. The 25th in a series of Balikatan exercises under the auspices of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement, this year’s Balikatan features free medical, dental, and veterinary care missions as well as the construction and repair of school buildings and other infrastructure in communities of Bicol, Central Luzon, and Zamboanga that are in most need of assistance. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Heather Golden)

Last Update :: 04/28/2009

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