Mariano Marcos
State University

AFP holds first community-integrated Balikatan medical exercise at MMSU

By Jareason Fabre

For the first time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted a community-integrated medical interoperability exercise with local institutions. Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) hosted the opening of the AFP–US Balikatan Exercises 41-26: Casualty Care and Evacuation through Military-Civilian Partnership on May 3 at the Covered Court and Student Center Building.

The initiative gathered military medical units, government hospitals, and local government units in Region I to strengthen coordinated emergency response and community-level preparedness. The term Balikatan, which literally means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” reflects the spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility among participating sectors.

During the opening ceremony, Lt. Gen. Rey B. Alemania, Commander of the AFP Joint Sustainment Command, emphasized that strong collaboration with local institutions is vital to ensuring timely and effective medical response in times of crisis, while AFP Surgeon General BGen. Fatima Claire S. Navarro highlighted the importance of interoperability in saving lives and enhancing the readiness of both military and civilian health systems. Also present was Maria Lourdes Otayza, Medical Center Chief of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, as a main partner in the exercise.

In an exclusive interview, Col. Andrew T. Abianares of the AFP Medical Administrative Corps shared that the exercise marks the first time it is being conducted directly with community partners.

“This is the first time that we are doing this with our local partners, our hospitals, LGUs, and institutions, because in times of crisis, it is the community that must be ready first,” Abianares said. “Strengthening our local capabilities ensures that we can respond effectively while working alongside our partners.”

He also thanked MMSU for its support in accommodating the Forward Treatment Unit and providing the necessary facilities and logistical requirements for the training, and encouraged interested individuals to enlist as reservists in the AFP Medical Service.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., together with Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal, expressed full support for initiatives that enhance disaster preparedness and public service. They described the activity as an important avenue for community resilience.

Meanwhile, Director Jan Francis Javier of the MMSU Security and Monitoring Services shared that the presence of AFP personnel on campus is part of a coordinated training effort aimed at strengthening emergency readiness, with the university working closely with partners to ensure a safe and organized conduct of activities.

The exercise features the deployment of the Philippine Army’s Forward Treatment Unit, capable of providing advanced medical care, alongside hands-on training for ROTC cadets in life-saving interventions and emergency response.

The activity runs until May 5, expected to strengthen military and civilian collaboration toward a more prepared and resilient Region I.