U.S. Submarine USS Olympia at Subic Bay's Alava Wharf, photographed from the USS Bonhomme Richard, here in Subic for PHIBLEX 2013. SBN/VVVphoto
THE RP-US AMPHIBIOUS LANDING EXERCISE (PHIBLEX 2013) has been launched aboard USS Bonhomme Richard while docked in Subic Bay, former largest U.S. Military installation outside the U.S. mainland.
The two-week activity set in various parts of the country aims to give “primacy to effective interoperability on humanitarian assistance and disaster response and relief preparedness, marine security, and community development.”
Thousands of Filipino and American troops are taking part in the exercise.
The important event is largely believed to be connected to the tensions between the Philippines and China over the latter’s claim on Philippine territories in the West Philippines sea, but time & again, RP & US authorities, jointly and separately, deny any connection. (Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.)
BRIG. GEN. Remigio C. Valdez, Co-Exercise Director, PHIBLEX 2013, DEPUTY COMMANDANT, PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS: "...military Training activities will be held simultaneously in different venues which include Subic International Airport in SBMA (Subic Bay Freeport), Zambales; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac: Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Camp O'Donell in Tarlac." SBN/VVVphotoU.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Brian L. Goldbeck: "The Republic of the Philippines is a longstanding treaty ally of the United States. Today, our nations stand together in a partnership to make the Pacific region more secure and prosperous. Our militaries regularly engage in bilateral training toward our common goal of regional security and readiness." SBN/VVVphotoRP-US COLORS at the launch of the RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex 13) aboard USS Bonhomme Richard at Subic Bay, Philippines. SBN/VVVphotoSubic Bay News managing Editor Louella Gramonte Vizcocho aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard at the launch of PHIBLEX 13 RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise. SBN/VVVphoto
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