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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, April 5 (PIA) -- Western Command (WESCOM) has beefed up security measures in areas where the Ph-US forces are scheduled to hold its humanitarian and engineering civic assistance projects and military field exercises under 2012 Balikatan in Palawan.

In a recent interview, WESCOM spokesman Lt Col Neil Anthony Estrella said that the heightened security measures are put in place as a deterrent against any lawless acts by dissident groups and to maintain the general peace and order situation in the province particularly in Balikatan areas.

Estrella emphasized that there are no specific threats reported and the possibility is remote, but security measures are enhanced in activities like the Balikatan, which is being done to allay the concerns of participants and the host communities.

The actual 2012 Balikatan is set on April 16-27 in Puerto Princesa City and some other parts of the province. As early as two weeks ago, US forces involved in the engineering and other civic assistance projects started arriving in this city to begin construction of school facilities which may take 30 calendar days to complete.

Engineering brigades of both Philippine and US forces are already building two-classroom school buildings in the city barangay of Buenavista, Sta. Cruz, Bacungan, Inagawan, and Tagbarungis. The school building projects also include construction of toilets and water system.

Medical and dental assistance projects will begin next week in five city urban and rural barangays. Veterinary assistance projects will also be conducted in four rural city barangay and two urban barangay.

About 4,500 US servicemen and 2,300 Filipino counterparts are expected to participate in this year’s joint military exercise. (LBR/VSM-PIA 4B, Palawan)

By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza

 

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