Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 17) – A lawmaker has called on the government to turn the Mindoro oil spill sites as grounds for an “environmental Balikatan” open to all nations.
House Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto said on Monday that at the oil spill sites, participating countries can \”work together in fighting a real ecological disaster instead of an imaginary enemy.\”
He added that nations \”are raring to test their manpower and equipment in real life, not tabletop, situation.\”
Recto urged countries participating in the annual Balikatan exercise of US and Filipino troops to engage in oil spill response in Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas. This year, over 100 Australian troops are also taking part in the drills.
With 17,000 troops joining the \”mock war,\” under Balikatan, Recto said even a fraction of the personnel and logistics involved will be a great help \”in battling a real, not simulated, ecological threat.\”
“Tayo naman ‘pag may disaster sa ibang bansa, automatic na nagpapadala ng tulong. Nang lumindol nga sa Turkey, nagpadala kaagad tayo ng isang eroplanong puno ng medical and rescue personnel and equipment,” he said.
[Translation: We automatically send aid if other countries experience disasters. When there was an earthquake in Turkey, we sent a plane full of medical and rescue personnel and equipment.]
