PHL forces getting more expertise in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 6): PHL forces getting more expertise in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units are getting more expertise on various humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness techniques by training with American forces.

This was stressed by Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in an interview on Wednesday.

This joint-training provides AFP personnel and their American counterparts with more capabilities to respond in times of calamities and disasters, he said.

Incidentally, Philippine and American forces are now conducting the 33rd iteration of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) which has special focus on disaster relief missions.

PHIBLEX started last Oct. 4 and will end on Oct. 12. Around 1,400 American military personnel and 500 Filipino soldiers are taking part in the maneuvers.

Lorenzana said this capability was readily demonstrated by US forces during the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" in Leyte in Nov. 8, 2013 where American aircraft, ships and personnel readily helped their Filipino counterparts until the situation was stabilized.

Lorenzana's view was shared by US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade head Brig. Gen. John Jansen.

"Within four hours, Ospreys from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, arrived to support the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The MV-22s evacuated more than 1,200 people while delivering over 20 tons of supplies, none of which would have been possible without the Philippine government and military’s fast actions, and the practice we all receive during exercises. Our forces have come together again and again, in 2013 for the Bohol Earthquake and typhoon Bopha, typhoon Washi in 2011, typhoon Frank in 2008, and typhoon Reming in 2006," Jansen stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=929144