Need to confront emerging security threats made bilateral training more important

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 2): Need to confront emerging security threats made bilateral training more important

With new threats reinforcing the old, the need for bilateral training among military units of allied nations have grown stronger.

This was emphasized by Naval Director General Major Gen. Alexander Balutan during the opening ceremonies Thursday of the 32nd Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 16) at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Naval Station Bonifacio, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

"As we embark on confronting the emerging global threat today such as drug trafficking, transnational crimes and global terrorism the need for heightened vigilance and proactive roles among allies should be revisited, influenced by strong forces of interdependence," he added.

PHIBLEX 16 started on Oct. 1 and will end on the 9th.

Around 860 US Marines and 748 of their Filipino counterparts are now taking part in the annual military maneuvers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=810822