AJLPP Condemns RP-US war games in Luzon, Says It's An Act of Armed Intervention

Los Angeles- As Philippine and US troops began Wednesday a two-week integrated ground and air training meant to improve their forces' skills in fighting terrorism and responding to disasters and security situations.

the AJLPP condems such acts of brazen military intervention in the Philippines.More than 60 military exercises or war games were conducted in the Philippines since the VFA was approved in 1999 according to AJLPP.

The US-RP military war games commenced in the former US Clark Air base in Pampamga. It is now callled Diosdado Macapagal Airport after the current president 's father.

Brigadier General Natalio Ecarma, deputy commander of the Philippine Marine Corps, and Brigadier General Ronald Dailey, deputy commander of the US' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, led the opening rites of the Talon Vision and Phiblex at the Holiday Inn at the Clark Freeport, north of Angeles city.

At least 600 Filipino troops and 2,000 American soldiers are participating in the training to be held in Clark, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Ternate in Cavite, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and Crow Valley in Tarlac, according to Colonel Allan Ballesteros, spokesperson on the Philippine contingent.

Talon Vision War Games

Talon Vision began in 2000 while Phiblex started in 2005.

Ecarma and Dailey also announced the start of the construction of two school buildings, with two classrooms each, in the village of David in San Jose town and the village of Bueno in Capas town, both in Tarlac. Thjis is the civic action part of the war games.

Medical missions were also scheduled in Sta. Ignacia and San Jose towns, also in Tarlac, considered hotbeds of the NPA in Central Luzon.

The 3rd MEF brought along several CH46 and CH53 helicopters and F-18 jets for the war games.

The Philippine Air Force, which has jurisdiction over the 17,000-hectare Crow Valley near Mt. Pinatubo, banned residents, including Aetas in the area, from going to the exercise site during the day for their safety, Ballesteros said.

US troops have been reprotedly restricted from leaving the exercise sites. Commanders have yet to announce liberty or free time for the troops to do rest and recreation in commercial areas.