Balikatan

Rye83 · May 7, 2018

MANILA, Philippines — U.S. and Philippine forces have begun their largest annual military exercises under President Rodrigo Duterte, who had wanted to scale down America's military presence and involvement in combat drills as he sought closer ties with China and Russia.

The Balikatan exercises opened Monday and were to involve combat drills in mock urban settings to train special forces in battling terrorists in cities following the Islamic State group-linked siege on southern Marawi city last year.

After rising to power in 2016, Duterte vowed to scale back the presence of U.S. troops involved in counterterrorism training in the country's south and once threatened to end the annual drills with American forces.

These will be the largest joint drills since Duterte took office, though Filipino officials stress they're not aimed at China.

US, Philippines launch largest military drills under Duterte
Click to expand...

What? China isn't interested in helping train the Philippine military?

22JUL2018:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, previously praised and invited by President Trump to come to the White House, said he will not visit the United States during or after his term because the country is “lousy.”
Philippines’s Duterte vows not to come to the U.S.: ‘I’ve seen America, and it’s lousy’
Click to expand...

And then just 4 months later.

Not sure why The Donald sucking so hard on Dutard's little winky after he has talked such HUMONGOUS sh*t about the US. SAD! The US should send Duterte a bill for the military training. MAGA!

Dave_Hounddriver · May 7, 2018

Wrye83 said: ↑

Not sure why The Donald
Click to expand...

We know from the press that "The Donald" likes women so maybe he has hopes of retiring here, (after finishing his second term as POTUS), and does not want to p*ss off his hosts.

Log in or Sign up

Dumaguete Info Search

Balikatan

Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

Dave_Hounddriver DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster