AMERICAN and Philippine military forces repelled invading forces yesterday in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, during a counter-landing training which is one of the highlights of the “Balikatan” exercises between the two armed forces.
The training started with a simulated enemy, in the form of improvised floating targets, approaching the shores of the city, prompting the firing of artillery assets from both sides. Troops on defensive position then fired 5.56 caliber rifles, medium and heavy machineguns, anti-tank missions and multi-role anti-armor anti-personnel weapons system at the invaders who managed to come ashore.
“It was huge success. The weapons were spot on. They were literally hitting the targets,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, commander of the US I Marine Expeditionary Force, who was among those who supervised the training.
“They were completely impressive and shocked the targets that were out there, direct hits,” he said.
Cederholm said ground troops fought the invaders on the shore and then repelled the attack.
“It’s designed to repel an invasion,” said Cederholm of the counter-landing exercise.
The counter-landing exercise, which lasted for about an hour, is one of the major highlights of Balikatan exercise which started last April 22 and due to end on Friday.
The last major activity under Balikatan is a maritime strike, also known as sinking exercise, on Wednesday also in Laoag City.
Naval, air and ground assets will be featured in sinking a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship, BRP Lake Caliraya, during the drill.
“The culminating event will actually be the maritime strike in two days…It will culminate on Wednesday with the maritime strike off the coast (of Laoag City),” said Cederholm.
Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine, Balikatan exercise director on the Philippine side, said the counter-landing exercise is a “defense operation practically.”
“The fires from the surface to the sea, the artillery fires, that’s particularly to defend from forces coming from the outside, landing on our land,” said Licudine.
Cederholm reiterated the Balikatan exercise, including the counter-landing exercise, is not aimed at a particular country. Nevertheless, he noted the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines calls for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.
“But make no mistake, what you saw out there today is to deter an amphibious landing,” he said, adding the two sides are exercising to enhance interoperability in case of an attack.
“Balikatan is designed to prepare us both to defend Philippine sovereignty. If anyone has any question about whether we’re ready, we answered that today. We’re ready. And we always will be,” said Cederholm.
Licudine said the successful counter-landing exercise “underscores the strengthened cooperation between the Philippines and the United States in defending our shores.”
“With every iteration, we continuously leverage the valuable insights and expertise gained to ensure regional security and stability,” he said.
