Posted on 07/17/2002 3:52:08 PM PDT by knighthawk
MANILA: The Philippines and the United States on Wednesday began a 10-day joint naval exercise from a former US base, officials said.
Both countries have about 1,400 sailors, marines and coast guard forces each participating in the exercise that will culminate in a mock amphibious assault, US military spokeswoman Leslie Hull-Ryde said at a press briefing at the former Subic base.
Most of the training will take place at sea with the main focus on readiness for disaster relief efforts, she said. Five US ships and five Philippine ships are participating.
Philippine military spokesman Lt Col Danilo Servando said US forces will be given limited "liberties" during their brief stay in the country, moving to fend off criticism that past US presence encouraged prostitution in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.
"Before they go on liberty, liberty policies will be announced. We have designated security officers to give the visiting US servicemen a briefing on their host areas," Servando said without elaborating.
Servando also said Filipinos have been informed about the American presence in order to provide "security measures."
About 100 police will be deployed outside the former base to secure the Americans' safety, said Orlando Medalla, police chief of nearby Olangapo City.
Some 300 US Marines are coming from Okinawa, Japan, 100 Coast Guardsmen from Alameda, California, and 1,000 sailors from Japan, Hawaii and San Diego.
Three US military doctors will take part in a variety of civic projects that also include medical and dental clinics and refurbishment of a school near Subic, Hull-Ryde said.
Several joint exercises are held each year in the Philippines under agreements reached after the Philippine government refused a decade ago to renew leases with Washington for the use of Subic and the former Clark air base in the former US colony.
Does the US claim the Spratly, too? BTW, there are only civilian installations on the island.
These are clearly dual use. Given some reports that there are anti-aircraft sites on Woddy Island, I doubt it is a civilian installation. Besides, it is still owned and operated by the government.
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