PALAYAN, Philippines  (The Adobo Chronicles) – This is the first year of the 10-year Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between th Philippines and the United States.

Among other things, EDCA allows the Americans temporary use Philippine military bases. In return, the Americans will train Filipino soldiers to be better prepared and  skilled for combat.  International observers say that the agreement is in direct response to China’s growing presence in the region amid territorial disputes between the giant country and other nations in Southeast Asia.

Well, it turns out it was the Americans that received first-hand training in safety and security — from the Filipinos. And the Americans learned their lesson well.

Four American soldiers who are part of the Balikatan Exercises lost their personal belongings to thieves inside Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija early Friday morning.

Based on investigation, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. inside the Exercise Relation Construction Building. Some of the items lost were mobile phones, shoes, and dollar bills, among others.

According to officials of Fort Magsaysay, it is possible that the thieves were children who climbed the camp’s gates.

That’s right. Blame it on the children!