The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Participating foreign militaries said the fuel to be used in this year’s Exercise Balikatan had already been purchased long before the global oil crisis had begun thereby pinching only limited impact despite the Philippines having been declared under national energy emergency. “I would not deny that it affected our requirements in terms of supporting our needs,” Marine Col. Dennis Hernandez, Balikatan spokesperson for the Philippines, told reporters when asked whether the global oil crisis had forced adjustments in deployments or the number of assets participating in the drills. “But we have already programmed this activity prior to the crisis. These resources are already well planned and in place for the execution of this exercise. So I think the effect is only minimal,” he said. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Public Affairs Chief, emphasized that operational priorities remain unchanged despite government directives to conserve energy noting that large-scale exercises, including maritime drills and patrol operations, remain part of the Philippines’ core defense activities. Foreign contingents implemented their own mitigation measures to reduce the impact on host-nation resources.
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