Viscom enhances biowarfare, disaster response skills

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14, 2023): Viscom enhances biowarfare, disaster response skills (By John Rey Saavedra)

BIOWARFARE. Soldiers from the Visayas Command test the military hazmat biological-chemical suit during one of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) training sessions at the Viscom ground in Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City. Viscom commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said the 10-day drills that started on July 10, 2023 will boost Visayas soldiers' biological-chemical warfare and humanitarian and disaster response capabilities. (Photo courtesy of Viscom PIO)

CEBU CITY – Soldiers in the Visayas beef up their biological-chemical warfare and disaster response capabilities in training exercises with the United States Marine Corps (USMC), an Army official said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Visayas Command, said the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) training exercise and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) training exercise with the USMC reinforced the soldiers’ skills in territorial defense disaster response during calamities.

The 10-day exercise, which began on July 10, will boost the capability of Viscom personnel when responding to threats and hazards during calamities, Arevalo said in a statement.

“These will help our personnel perform their duties with efficiency, as we ensure the safety and well-being of our people in the Visayas region,” he said.

The two training exercises with the US Marine Corps are part of the five combined interoperability training conducted within Viscom’s operational area under the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 2023.

MASA 2023 is a bilateral training exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and foreign counterparts that focuses on the conduct of capacity enhancement training to develop the skills and interoperability of the allied forces not only in territorial defense but also in hazards and disaster response operations.

Facilitated by the USMC, the activities are also aimed at developing camaraderie and interoperability among personnel of USMC and Viscom.

Designed in both classroom instruction and practical exercise approaches, the activities were participated by personnel of Health Service Center–Central, organic personnel of Viscom, and personnel from the unified command’s subordinate units.

Arevalo commended the US counterparts, particularly the US Marine Corps, in supporting the capability build-up efforts of the soldiers in the central Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205606