THE chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said several 'hitches' were encountered in planning this year's Balikatan exercise, particularly in choosing locations for the joint training of the 17,600 participating Philippine and United States troops.
In an interview on the sidelines of the closing ceremony for the Balikatan at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, Gen. Andres Centino said there were 'a lot of firsts' for this year's edition.
HAND IN HAND (From left) Maj. Gen. Marvin Lacudine of the Philippine Army; Admiral John C. Aquilino, Philippine exercise director; National Defense Officer in Charge Carlito Galvez Jr.; US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson; Gen. Andres Centino, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief; and Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, commander, US Indo-Pacific Command and exercise director, join hands at the end of the 2023 Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder) Exercises at the Camp Aguinaldo Headquarters in Quezon City on Friday, April 28, 2023. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
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