ZAMBALES, BATAAN, PAMPANGA OFFERED FOR BALIKATAN

Manila, March 16, 2003 -- Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay today asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to hold the Balikatan exercises in the provinces of Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga.

Magsaysay made the suggestion during the Chief Executive's meeting with local government officials of the National Capital Region, and Regions 3 and 4 at the Heroes' Hall in Malacanang.

Magsaysay represented the Central Luzon Regional Peace and Order Council during the meeting.

"Yun pong Balikatan, napapansin natin, nababasa natin, nagkakaroon ng problem. Ayaw ng mga ibang probinsya sa kanilang lugar, ibalik na po ninyo sa Bataan, Zambales at Pampanga yan (We hear and read in newspapers that some provinces don't want Balikatan exercises. Why don't you bring the exercises to Bataan, Zambales and Pampanga)," Magsaysay said.

The President pointed out that Sulu was the only province that did not want to host the Balikatan. "Sulu lang ang ayaw, lahat ng iba gusto (Sulu does not want it but everyone wants it)," she said.

Magsaysay said the three Central Luzon provinces welcome the Balikatan exercises. "Sa Bataan, Zambales at Pampanga, diyan po ay walang problema. Welcome na welcome po sa lugar natin yan."

He noted that the provinces have become familiar with the presence of United States troops in the past four decades, referring to the previous presence of U.S. facilities in the region. "Sapagkat apatnapung taon na kasama natin yang mga Amerikano (We were alongside American soldiers for four decades)," Magsaysay said.

"Ang problema po kasi kung nakakakita sila ng Amerikano sa ibang lugar, akala nila, giyera na (the problem with the others is when they see Americans, they think there's already a war)," he added.

The President, on the other hand, thanked the Zambales governor for the offer.

Aside from the three, other provinces have signified willingness to host Balikatan exercises. Among these are North Cotabato, Quezon, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro