American forces arrive in Guiuan for Balikatan

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — American forces the other day have started to arrive in Guiuan, Eastern Samar for the RP-US joint military exercise or Balikatan, which will be done for the first time in this Pacific coastal town that was devastated by typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales said this event is one that the people of Guiuan should be grateful for, as this humble town has been chosen the venue for Balikatan this year.

Balikatan now is for building schools for the future of the children, after the Visiting Forces Commission scrapped the war games, said the mayor.

"One thing we should be proud because, out of so many places, Guiuan was chosen for this joint exercise that now focuses on infrastructure, humanitarian works, and exchange of knowledge and skills between the US and Philippine troops to directly benefit the people, especially the education of the children," Gonzales said.

Before the US soldiers arrived in Guiuan, troops of the Philippine Army’s 564th Engineering Battalion have already started the construction works of school buildings..

“The Americans will now join the Filipino soldiers in building classrooms at the Surok Elementary School, and will be reaching out to students through empowerment seminars and disaster response trainings,” said Gonzales.

A medical support team of the US troops will also be conducting medical missions, and medical seminars together with the doctors and staff of the Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital (FAMH) in Guiuan.

Meanwhile, security has been tight in Guiuan, according to Chief Inspector Cirilo Nicart, Guiuan Police chief, who added that the police will join the Philippine Army in providing security through the duration of the Balikatan.

The US soldiers will stay inside their camps at Barangay Surok in Guiuan, after their daily activities. "The Guiuan local government, for its part, is certainly supporting fully the event,” added the mayor. (FREEMAN)