MANILA, Jan. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The first batch of U.S. soldiers who will start training with their Filipino counterparts for one month arrived Sunday in central Mindanao in southern Philippines for the "Balance Piston 06-2" military training exercises, the local television network ABS-CBN News reported.

    The American soldiers arrived aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo plane in Cotabato in central Mindanao Sunday morning. They will start field exercises with the Philippine Army's 602nd Brigade at a military camp in Carmen town in Cotabato on Tuesday, according to the report.

    Training grounds at the camp have been prepared for exercises on small unit tactics, patrolling, marksmanship and life-saving techniques, Philippine military officers said, adding that residents near the camp will not be disturbed because tanks and cannons will not be used in the exercises.

    The U.S.-Philippine joint military exercise will be the first to be held this year in accordance with a mutual defense agreement. It is also part of the U.S.-led Joint Command Exercise for Training Program designed to enhance training of U.S. troops and their counterparts in 25 Asia-Pacific countries. Enditem