Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Corps and United States military members participated in a Medical Symposium for local health practitioners in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines on April 10, 2012. Philippine and U.S. military members are preparing to conduct several medical civic assistance projects across Palawan during Exercise Balikatan 2012, an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military force interoperability during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.