Preparations underway for US-PH counter-terror drill in Surigao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): Preparations underway for US-PH counter-terror drill in Surigao Norte (By Alexander Lopez)

TEMPEST WIND. Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II (center) welcomes on Monday (Jan.15, 2024) the delegates from the U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific. The visit is in line with the preparations for the upcoming Tempest Wind exercise, which will be held this year in Surigao del Sur and Surigao City. (Photo courtesy of Surigao CIO)

BUTUAN CITY – Preparations are underway for the Tempest Wind exercise in Surigao del Norte and Surigao City.

On Monday, delegates from the U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific visited Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II to discuss the preparations for the exercise.

The Tempest Wind is a bilateral inter-agency law enforcement counter-terrorism drill between the Philippines and the U.S. governments. The same exercise was conducted in the country in September last year.

“The (Surigao City) government supports the upcoming Tempest Wind exercise, emphasizing its capacity for positive transformation and sustainable development,” the local government said in a statement Monday.

It said the visit was meant to assess the readiness of Surigao City and Surigao del Norte province for the upcoming activity, with dates still undetermined.

The U.S. delegates were composed of Joseph Gantley Sokol, John Marshal Ascenzo, Scott Robert Lidick, Christopher Mulhall, Arrin Langdon, and Halbert Bruce.

They were accompanied by officials of the Philippine National Police, led by Deputy Director Brig. Gen. Chito Bersaluna.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216968