2,300 RP, US troops to join annual exercises

From the Daily Tribune (Sep 3): 2,300 RP, US troops to join annual exercises

Approximately 2,300 Filipino and American troops will be participating in this year’s staging of the annual bilateral exercises called “Phiblex14” amid the ongoing negotiations for an increased presence of United States military servicemen in the Philippines.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy said that the RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercises 2014 dubbed as “Phiblex 14,” the 30th edition of the annual exercise, will be hosted by the Philippine Marine Corps. The joint training will open on Sept. 18.

Participating on the US side are troops from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit of the US Marine Corps. On the other hand, various units of the Philippine Navy, Army and Air Force will complement the US forces.

“Approximately 2,300 US and Philippine service members will meet for three weeks of bilateral air-ground and amphibious training as well as a staff planning exercise during Phiblex 14 in the Philippines,” Lt. Vince Edward Salmingo, public affairs officer of Phiblex 14, said.

The “Phiblex 14” will be held while negotiations are ongoing between PH and US officials regarding the increase rotational presence of US troops in the Philippines which has been sharply criticized by China.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/18717-2-300-rp-us-troops-to-join-annual-exercises