Ilocos Norte will no longer be the venue of major Balikatan exercises and drills, the provincial government announced on Wednesday, March 15.
Information Officer Gervu James Gumarit told the media that they have “received a communication from the AFP informing Governor Matthew Manotoc that major events for the war games initially lined up in the province have been moved to Zambales.”
“We were only told na decision daw ng higher officers ng AFP,” he said, noting that no other information was provided by the AFP regarding the change of plans.
Previously, the testing of newly acquired weapons systems and live-fire drill exercises were set to be held in the province.
Balikatan spokesperson Col. Michael Logico confirmed that no military exercise would be held in Ilocos Norte.
“We are doing it in Zambales. We were instructed to move it to Zambales,” he said.
