US turns over new anti-terrorism equipment to Phl
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Joint US Military Assistance Group ( JUSMAG) based in the US embassy has turned over 24 pallets of new antiterrorism equipment to the Philippine Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) here, even as the embassy reported successful joint exercises on disaster and threat responses on top of civic missions.
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 US 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 were “for use in counterterrorism and fast boat operations,” and among these were tactical Harris radios, ballistic helmets and diving gear.
“The military equipment was transferred under a US grant program aimed at assisting security forces conducting counterterrorism operations,” the embassy explained. “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 US grant program.”
Aside from 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 US embassy said, “During PHIBLEX, Philippine and US 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 US troops guarantees a more rapid response to natural disasters, such as Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and the Bohol earthquake, saving lives and reducing suffering.”
It said PHIBLEX participants used “assault amphibious vehicles to move troops ashore from the USS Germantown, a US Navy amphibious ship.”
PHIBLEX is an annual US-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live- fire training with humanitarian assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships.
It is not clear whether more such exercises would be held amid President Duterte’s statement that his government would stop joint exercises with the Americans.
Neither the Department of National Defense nor the Armed Forces of the Philippines has received written official instruction from Malacañang on the matter.
“When Philippine and US 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,” the embassy said.
“In addition to the amphibious landing exercise, Philippine and US 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 US embassy also noted that “in the month preceding the exercise, Philippine and US 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 2,000 feet of drainage systems to make the schools more resilient to heavy rainfall. US 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, US troops coordinated with local municipal leadership to identify locations capable of supporting relief operations and helped develop crisis response plans,” the embassy reported.