US Military Commits To Assist PH Security

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 14): US Military Commits To Assist PH Security

A senior United States Marine official said here during the weekend that more than the conduct of bilateral exercises, the US military is willing to cooperate with the Philippine military on issues of national and maritime security. Brig. Gen. Craig Timberlake, commanding general of the US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), stressed that despite the presence in Subic Bay of almost 3,000 American servicemen participating in the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013, it does not mean that the Americans are back on a permanent basis.... According to the US general, they can cooperate with the Philippines even on issues that affect national and maritime security. “Yes, we could cooperate in those things if the government of the United States and the Philippines decide that’s what we’re going to do.. then of course we could do that,” said Timberlake. He made it clear, however, that the focus of their presence at the former US naval base has nothing to do with the dispute between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.“That’s not the focus of what we’re trying to get here today,” he said....

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/377181/us-military-commits-to-assist-ph-security