Tuesday, May 13, 2014

US Army Pacific commander visits PH

From the Manila Bulletin (May 13): US Army Pacific commander visits PH

The commanding general of the United States Army in the Pacific (USARPAC) “quietly” visited Manila the previous week conducting productive senior level engagements with military and government officials.

General Vincent K. Brooks’ visit came amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea following the capture by Philippine maritime patrol authorities of a Chinese vessel with 11 Chinese fishermen aboard who were caught with endangered sea turtles near the disputed Hasa-Hasa Shoal (Half Moon Shoal).

The top ranking American military official’s arrival also came less than a fortnight after a high-profile visit to the country by US President Barack Obama, who emphasized strengthening ties with Washington’s oldest ally in Southeast Asia.

In a belated report, the US Embassy in Manila said Brooks met with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri and Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General of the Lt. Gen. Jeffrey F. Delgado.

He also visited the US Army and Philippine Army Soldiers participating in the 30th iteration of exercise Balikatan at Fort Magsaysay and numerous Philippine Armed Forces Commands, including the Special Operations Command, the 7th Infantry Division, the Western Mindanao Command, and the Light Reaction Force Regiment.

The embassy also said the chief of the US Army in the Pacific engaged with several defense and civil think-tank groups from the Philippines.

Brooks’ visit, the US embassy said in a statement, continue “the longstanding military relationship between USARPAC and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

Last month, the 10-year Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was inked by the Philippines and the US to help promote overall security relations between the US and the Philippines.

http://www.mb.com.ph/us-army-pacific-commander-visits-ph/

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