US, Philippine forces finish training session in Palawan

February 27, 2020

Despite sending a formal notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the United States and Philippine forces continue conducting training activities.


In a press release issued on Thursday, the American Embassy in Manila said the "US and Philippine service members conducted joint/combined exchange training (JCET) in Palawan from January to February."


The training aims to develop counterterrorism tactics and skills of both forces.


"US Army Special Operations Forces and elite contingents of the Philippine 18th Special Forces Company conducted joint training that covered a variety of counter-terrorism subjects and exercises," the embassy said.


"With the knowledge and experience gained from training shoulder-to-shoulder, the US and Philippine troops continue to hone their counter-terrorism tactics and skills.  The joint training also helps to strengthen the longstanding bond between US and Philippine military forces," it added.


According to the US embassy "the training not only focused on tactical skills, but also stressed the importance of local community support and outreach as part of a holistic counterterrorism strategy."


"Each JCET is funded by the US Department of Defense (DOD), and on average costs an estimated P5,000,000 ($100,000).  Last year, DOD sponsored seven US-Philippine JCET events, exceeding P50,000,000 ($1,000,000)," the embassy stated.


"The United States, as a longstanding friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, continues to provide support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through a variety of training," it added.

In an earlier view, AFP Chief General Filemon Santos Jr. for this year, there are 318 activities between the Philippines and US.  Out of the total 163 are mutual defense board activities like training, he added.  

Santos said the Philippines and the US are scheduled to hold 10 major exercises. Robina Asido/DMS