Philippine, U.S. forces to hold amphibious exercise

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MANILA, Sept. 17 -- Thousands of U.S. and Filipino forces are due to commence on Wednesday an amphibious exercise in the northern Philippine province of Zambales, the Philippine military said on Tuesday.

The exercise, to last until Oct. 11, will involve 2,300 Filipino and U.S. soldiers. A number of naval assets from both sides will also be utilized for the bilateral exercise.

Vince Edward Salmingo, public affairs officer of the annual RP- U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercise or PHIBLEX, said the venue of the joint exercise includes San Antonio, Zambales, home of the Naval Education and Training Command where the opening ceremony will be held.

The other venues of the exercise are Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac Province; Marine Base Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite Province; Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Metro Manila; and Basa Airbase and Clark Field in Pampanga Province.

"It is meant to enhance the interoperability of both forces in the conduct of operations," said Salmingo, adding that the main focus of the training is disaster response, coupled with external defense.

Salmingo said small-boat operations exercise, small-unit training like combat marksmanship, and mortar training will be held at the beach landing area of the Navy facility in San Antonio.

"This is not in (congruence) to the current events," said Salmingo when asked if the exercise has anything to do with the dispute at China's Huangyan Island, about 124 nautical miles from Zambales.

"We are just here to train with U.S. counterparts," said Salmingo, adding that the exercise is not meant to agitate China.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Gregory Gerald Fabic also sought to downplay the relation of the exercise with the Huangyan Island dispute.

"This PHIBLEX exercise is programmed activity, in keeping with (existing agreements)," said Fabic.

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