Some 1,200 American soldiers and 2,500 Filipino troopers are expected to participate in the Exercise Balikatan 2003 war games in three venues in Luzon from April 25 to May 9, the US embassy announced yesterday. The embassy clarified in a statement that the Balikatan 2003 war games, the 19th of a series that began in 1981, are different from the “Balikatan 03-1” whose date and venue are still being discussed. The first batch of more than 450 US servicemen is expected to arrive via high speed vessel at the Subic Freeport this morning, the embassy said. Armed Forces vice chief of staff and spokesman Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia said Balikatan 2003 will be held at Clark Field in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija and at a Marine base in Ternate, Cavite. Garcia said elements of the US army’s 11th Field Artillery, the 4th Marine Regiment, 36th Marine Aircraft Group and 3rd Marine Force Support Group are expected to participate. Full Story
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