Carat’ naval exercises start today

From Malaya (Jun 27): ‘Carat’ naval exercises start today

AMERICAN and Filipino forces are due to start today a naval drill near the Scarborough Shoal off Zambales, which is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training or CARAT will feature the country’s first Hamilton-class cutter, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which was acquired from United States in 2011.

The training will formally open at the former US naval base in Subic. Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, said the major objective of the training is to enhance the capability of both sides through practical exercises and lectures.

Tejada said the five-day training, which also includes civil military operations activities, is anticipated to “increase the level of interoperability between the Philippine Navy and US Navy in the conduct of combined naval operations.”

Tejada said the Philippine Navy will be using BRP Gregorio del Pilar, an Islander aircraft, a special boat team, a diving team from the Naval Special Operations Group, a team of naval engineers, and a Marine company for the exercise.

The US will used the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, salvage ships USNS Safeguard and USS Salvor, Marine troops, and specialized personnel.

The Philippine Coast Guard, which had been invited to participate, will be deploying the search and rescue ship BRP Edsa, a helicopter, a diving team, and a visit, board search and seizure team.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Gerald Fabic earlier said the at-sea exercises will be conducted between mainland Zambales and Scarborough Shoal.

Scarborough Shoal, also called as Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc, is a rich fishing ground located about 124 nautical miles from Zambales. The shoal was the site of standoff between Philippine and Chinese ships in April last year. It occurred after the BRP Gregorio del Pilar spotted and tried to apprehend eight Chinese fishing boats from gathering corals, giant clams and live sharks at the shoal.

However, the Navy ship was prevented by two Chinese maritime surveillance ships from apprehending the fishing vessels, leading to the standoff.

The Navy ship withdrew a few days later and was replaced by a Coast Guard ship and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel. However, these vessels withdrew about two months after due to inclement weather, leaving the Chinese virtually in control of the shoal.

The Navy has said that the upcoming exercise has nothing to do with the standoff because the drill schedule has been finalized as early as 2010.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/34576-carat-naval-exercises-start-today