Philippine, US forces conduct humanitarian mission in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States forces are working together in conducting a 10-day humanitarian assistance engagement in northern Cebu.

The activities, which kicked off yesterday and will run until July 3, are part of Pacific Angel 2017 (PACANGEL 17).

During this exchange, US and Filipino service members will partner with local non-governmental organizations and other multilateral international participants to train together by providing medical, dental, optometrical, and engineering assistance, and conducting subject matter expert exchanges in Bogo City and San Remigio town.

Throughout the 10-day engagement, AFP and US forces will also partner with local schools and health clinics to repair and update infrastructure.

“US and Philippine service members will increase interoperability by learning best medical practices from one another, while giving back to the community as friends, partners, and allies,” reads the statement sent by the US Embassy in Manila.

This is the first of four humanitarian assistance engagements that make up PACANGEL 17.

The remaining engagements will take place in the following locations: Tam Ky, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam; Northern and Western Divisions, Fiji; and Gorkha, Nepal.

Now entering its tenth year, PACANGEL ensures that the region’s militaries are prepared to work together to address humanitarian crises.

Since 2007, PACANGEL engagements have impacted the lives of tens of thousands of people through providing health services ranging from dentistry, optometry, pediatrics, and physical therapy, to civil engineering programs, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and subject matter exchanges. (FREEMAN)