Press Release No. 144-03
3 April 2003
BALIKATAN 03-1: OUR SOLDIERS WILL DO THE FIGHTING – OPLE

Regardless of how either side characterizes the planned Balikatan 03-1, there has never been any question that it will be Filipino soldiers who will do the fighting, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople, in response to speculations that Balikatan 03-1 will allow US troops to engage in combat.

“The objective basis that should characterize our military cooperation with the US will be the terms of reference for Balikatan 03-1.  There is a clear understanding that Balikatan 03-1 will be based on and build on the success of Balikatan 02-1 which was held in Basilan,” Secretary Ople said.

“Before we even began discussions with the US on Balikatan 03-1, we had a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve, what we would allow to be done and what we would not allow to be done,” he said.

“In crafting this policy, we were guided by the framework established by the Supreme Court when the constitutionality of the Balikatan in Basilan was challenged. And the policy is this: US forces will not be allowed to engage in combat in Balikatan 03-1.  The fighting will be, and will always be, done by our soldiers,” the Secretary added.

The Secretary said that this policy will admit only one exception, and it is an exception that will be interpreted in its most restrictive sense.  He said that this exception is the exercise of the right of self-defense, adding that “it is an exception that will be subject to clear limitations.  That is, the use of force should be reasonable and proportionate, and shall only be used for the duration of the direct threat.”

He added that the controversy over Balikatan 03-1 revolves around whether or not US forces would be allowed to go into combat.  The Secretary said that this issue can only be answered by a categorical statement of policy, saying that “the use of varying terminologies should not and cannot be the basis of a true and objective treatment of this issue.”

“It is my hope that the clear and objective statement of policy that I enunciated today, that it will be our soldiers that will do the fighting, will clear any confusion over the differences in terms used in describing Balikatan 03-1,” the Secretary said.

As in the Balikatan in Basilan, the US will provide training, assistance and advice to our soldiers, which our soldiers can then directly apply in the field, and where US soldiers will monitor, assess, provide feedback as well as provide exposure to modern communication, transport and other technologies and capabilities.
 
“To be able to do this, a small number of U.S. troops, perhaps two to three, will accompany our troops at the company level.  Two or three U.S. soldiers in a company composed of over a hundred Filipino soldiers, cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered as some sinister design for US  forces to engage in combat,” the Secretary said.

“The US calls the Balikatan 03-1 ‘operations’ as this is an administrative requirement before they can release funds, resources and personnel for  Balikatan 03-1.  Calling it operations does not automatically mean that U.S. soldiers will engage in combat.  What it does mean is that there will be funds available for Balikatan, funds that will result in giving our soldiers an added edge in fighting terrorism,” he added.

As to the venue of Balikatan 03-1, Secretary Ople said that the Philippine Government has not ruled out holding it in Sulu, “subject to the conclusion of ongoing consultations with Sulu’s local government, leaders and community and with the utmost regard for the needs and sensitivities of the people of Sulu.”

 END.