U.S.-PHL naval exercise not connected to any regional issue

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 27): U.S.-PHL naval exercise not connected to any regional issue

Top naval officers of the Philippines and the United States said the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise the two countries opened has nothing to do with the territorial rift the Philippines and China are into.

“This is just training exercise to be prepared for any contingency and not connected to any regional issue,” said Rear Admiral Jaime Bernardino, Philippine Fleet commander of the Philippine Navy.

“With this exercise with the United States Navy, we are kind of prepare to respond to emergencies like what happened in Tacloban City,” he said.

Bernardino led the formal opening of CARAT Thursday on board BRP Ramon Alcaraz docked at the Rivera wharf inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

“The United States Navy is a global navy that operates in international waters and we have been doing this exercise with the Philippine Navy since 1995,” said Rear Admiral Stuart Munsch, Task Force 74 commander of the USN.

Bernardino said their actions are dictated by the national leaders.

“What they wanted us to do, we will abide,” he said.

He said they have committed to the exercise two relatively new ships and two helicopters to enhance its capabilities.

“We are configuring BRP Alcaraz to improve its capability to be able to detect aircrafts, submarines and other surface assets. On the two helicopters acquired last year, we wanted it to become multi-role helicopters,” Bernardino added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=657435