MUTUAL DEFENSE Philippine and US Marine Corps personnel join combined interoperability events as part of the “Archipelagic Coast Defense Continuum" between the two units in Palawan on Thursday (May 16, 2024). The Philippine Marine Corps' (PMC) 3rd Marine Brigade said Friday (May 17) the drills aimed to enhance interoperability and coastal defense capabilities and reinforce the strategic partnership between the Philippines and the US. PMC PHOTO
Marine units from the Philippines and the United States conducted a series of combined interoperability events as part of the three-day "Archipelagic Coast Defense Continuum" (ACDC) in the province of Palawan.
Participants in the exercise, which began Wednesday and closes Friday, were from the Philippine 3rd Marine Brigade's Marine Landing Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 9 and the US Marine Corps' 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"This exercise, held in Barangay Kamuning (in Puerto Princesa City), is designed to enhance interoperability and coastal defense capabilities, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the Philippines and the United States," the Philippine Marine Corps' (PMC) 3rd Marine Brigade said in a statement Friday.
The exercise began with a combined convoy operation from the 3rd Marine Brigade headquarters in Puerto Princesa City to Kamuning Beach.
This large-scale movement involved a coordinated deployment of military vehicles, showcasing the capability of both forces to manage and secure vital supplies and troop movements overland.
The combined convoy operation tested logistical and navigational skills, demonstrating the units' ability to operate seamlessly under dynamic conditions.
"Following the convoy, a small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) from the 3rd Marine Corps Intelligence Company of the Philippine Marine Corps was deployed for reconnaissance over Kamuning," it added.
The drone provided real-time intelligence and surveillance, enabling the Marine units to gather critical information about the terrain and potential threats.
The integration of SUAS into the exercise highlighted the importance of advanced technology in modern coastal defense strategies, enhancing the situational awareness and decision-making capabilities of both forces.
Another key component of the exercise was the obstacle emplacement and occupational defense.
Both Marine units engaged in setting up barriers and defensive positions along the coast, simulating scenarios where they had to defend against hypothetical threats.
"These exercises were crucial in teaching the Marines how to establish and maintain defensive perimeters, ensuring the security of strategic coastal areas and demonstrating their preparedness for real-world defense situations," the 3rd Marine Brigade said.
Aside from combat drills, the exercise also focused on logistical support, specifically the use of water purification systems.
"Given the challenges of ensuring a clean water supply in remote coastal areas, the deployment and operation of these systems were essential. The Marines successfully demonstrated their ability to provide potable water, highlighting their preparedness for sustained operations in austere environments and ensuring that both units could support each other effectively in prolonged missions," it added.
PH, Japan seal patrol vessel deal
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Japan on Friday signed an agreement for the acquisition of five additional 97-meter class patrol vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The procurement of multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) will be financed by a JPY64.38 billion Japanese official development assistance (ODA) loan under the third phase of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) for the PCG.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo signed the exchange of notes at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in Pasay City.
“As the situation surrounding the Philippines has continuously been serious, PCG is standing in a frontline for protecting our common interests and rules-based maritime order,” Endo said in a speech.
“On May 15, I visited a 97-meter-class multipurpose vessel and heard from Admiral Gavan about the rigors of the PCG's operations, and we reaffirmed the importance of deepening cooperation between Japan and the Philippines,” he added.
The DFA said the support, which covers the development of required support facilities for the PCG, will also improve PCG’s capabilities in addressing transnational crimes.
“This occasion signifies not only the deepening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan but also underscores our unwavering commitment to enhance our maritime safety capabilities for the benefit of our nation and the broader maritime community,” Manalo said.
The PCG previously acquired ten 44-meter class and two 97-meter class MRRVs under Japan and the Philippines' MSCIP Phase I and II.
The two 97-meter patrol ships BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), the biggest in the PCG fleet, have been used to patrol the West Philippine Sea and have escorted civilian boats resupplying Filipino troops stationed at the rusting BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.
Witnessing the signing ceremony were officials from the Department of Finance, the Department of Transportation, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Japan is the Philippines’ top bilateral ODA partner, with its long history of support for Philippine development priorities spanning infrastructure, health, human resources, agriculture, education, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among many others. PNA
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