Renews U.S.—Philippines Military Engagement
- continued -
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Philippine and U.S. Air Force pararescue personnel prepare to drop from a U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter during BALIKATAN 2000. |
The exercise brought
the U.S. and the Philippines together in other ways, as well, noted Michael
E. Malinowski, Deputy Chief of Mission for the American Embassy.
"This combined joint exercise is the latest step in increasing the relationship between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. It gives real substance to our treaty commitments to the Philippines. It has done many things that have increased relations between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines."
The civic action programs held throughout the Philippines during BALIKATAN 2000 gave the civilian population the best view of the benefits of the exercise. They were divided into four main categories: engineering, medical, dental, and veterinary. Thousands of Filipinos had the opportunity to benefit from this Filipino-American teamwork.
