The US Embassy said both Philippine and US service members “are now better prepared to respond to natural disasters and security threats in the region” after participating in the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (Phiblex) which concluded at Subic Bay last Oct. 11.
“Through mud and rain, after repairing schools, firing artillery, conducting flight operations and disaster preparedness training, Philippine and U.S. service members are now better prepared to respond to natural disasters and security threats in the region,” the embassy said in a statement.
The embassy said the 24 pallets turned over to Marsog here was “for use in counterterrorism and fast boat operations” and included tactical Harris radios, ballistic helmets, and diving gear, among other items.
“The military equipment was transferred under a U.S. grant program aimed at assisting security forces conducting counterterrorism operations. The equipment will help enhance the communications, situational awareness and protection of Philippine security forces actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines. The Philippine Marines will also receive radio training as a part of the U.S. grant program,” the embassy said.
In addition to Marsog, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police- Special Action Force also received six pallets of the new communications equipment from the US government.
The embassy also said that “during Phiblex, Philippine and U.S. service members built upon a long and productive history of joint military exercises that enhance interoperability, strengthen partnerships, and improve disaster response. The interoperability of Philippine and U.S. troops guarantees a more rapid response to natural disasters such as Super Typhoon Haiyan and the Bohol earthquake, saving lives and reducing suffering.”
It said the Phiblex participants used “assault amphibious vehicles to move troops ashore from the USS Germantown, a U.S. Navy amphibious ship.”
Phiblex is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and livefire training with humanitarian assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. It isn’t clear whether more such exercises could be held amid Pres. Duterte’s statement that his government would stop joint exercises with the Americans.
“When Philippine and U.S. forces practice an amphibious landing together, our nations are better prepared to bring water, medical supplies, and other relief to the people of the Philippines during a natural disaster. In addition to the amphibious landing exercise, Philippine and U.S. service members conducted a live-fire combined- arms exercise and training on a wide range of skills, including marksmanship, parachute operations, map reading, and first aid response,” the embassy also said.
The embassy also noted that “in the month preceding the exercise, Philippine and U.S. service members in Cagayan Valley spent more than 17,000 hours renovating four elementary school classrooms and two outdoor auditoriums.”
“They repaired roofs and installed 500 feet of steel gutters and 2000 feet of drainage systems to make the schools more resilient to heavy rainfall. U.S. military medical teams also taught students and teachers basic lifesaving skills, disease prevention, and physical and dental hygiene – all critical during times of crisis. To help prepare for a natural disaster hitting the region, U.S. troops coordinated with local municipal leadership to identify locations capable of supporting relief operations and helped develop crisis response plans,” the embassy reported.
