US, PH to conduct bilateral activities on August 26

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 23): US, PH to conduct bilateral activities on August 26

United States and Philippine troops will kick off August 26 another bilateral activity called "Operation Pacific Unity 2013" (PU 13) to be held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

This, as U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is also scheduled to make a visit to Manila country August 29. A statement from the Pentagon said Hagel is coming to the Philippines as part of his four-nation trip to Southeast Asia.

The conduct of PU 13 and upcoming visit of the US Defense chief comes amid negotiations on expanded American military presence in the country.

Participating in the conduct of PU 13, which will run until September 20, are troops from the US Air Force (USAF), the US Navy, (USN), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the Western Command ( Wescom).

Capt. Robert J. Howard of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Public Affairs said in an email to Manila Bulletin, stressed that while USN personnel are taking part in the activity, no USN ships are scheduled to join in this bilateral humanitarian and civic assistance program effort.

Operation Pacific Unity is a bilateral Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) conducted in the Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with host nation civil authorities and military personnel.

According to the AFP, the activity particularly aims to to enhance the response capability of both Armed Forces and stakeholders during time of disasters and calamities.

Approximately 28 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy construction craftsmen and support personnel will participate alongside host province officials and construction tradesmen.

From the Philippines side, also joining the humanitarian mission aside from the Wescom are elements from the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units (LGUs) and local government agencies (LGAs), and non-government organizations (NGOs).

"The extent of the participation of the AFP shall be on personnel requirement, along with minimal mission-essential equipment," according to the said the AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO).

Howard, on the other hand, said: "This year marks the fourth iteration of the operation which began in 2010. . . Previous operations took place in Vietnam."

The PACAF public affairs officer likewise said the direct beneficiary PU 13 will be the Virgilo R. Magbanua Elementary School in Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City and the local community.

During the activity, troops from both countries will jointly construct a new two-room classroom facility to replace an existing temporary fabric tent, aside from doing renovations to three existing facilities in the same school compound.

Last year, seven classrooms were renovated and one building was constructed from the ground up in Malabacat, Pampanga which was the venue of PU 2012.

"The relationships built and sustained with our multinational partners in the Asia-Pacific region through exercises, civil-military operations and military exchanges help tremendously in humanitarian efforts and in preserving peace and stability in the region," said Howard.

Operation Pacific Unity is just one of several bilateral exercises and activities being conducted by US and Philippine soldiers that also benefit the local communities.

Other activities include the prominent annual Balikatan Exercises, PHIBLEX, CARAT, Balance Piston, Pacific Angel, and the Haribon Tempest that started this year.

Joint activities between Philippines and US militaries are reviewed and agreed upon by the RP-US Mutual Defense Board (MDB)- Security Engagement Board (SEB).

The MDB- SEB activities are formulated based on the guidance of bilateral strategic dialogue and general policy of forwarding cooperation between the two countries, which hinges on the following: convergence of PH-US interest, Principles of Reciprocity and Mutual Benefit, which it is within the framework of the constitution, MDT and VFA and other bilateral agreements.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/28628/US,_PH_to_conduct_bilateral_activities_on_August_26#.UhdpUZfD_Sc