RP-US war games start at Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Filipino and American troops began yesterday at Alava Pier here the first of a series of joint military exercises as part of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.

The VFA, signed in 1999, spells out guidelines for these exercises meant to train Filipino soldiers in the use of modern weapons against terrorists and other threats to national security.

Participating in the 11-day war games are 1,175 Filipino and 1,200 American Navy servicemen, including US Marines and Navy Seals trained in anti-terrorist operations.

The opening ceremony of the fourth series of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat 2001) was held aboard the BRP Bacolod City, one of three Philippine Navy vessels taking part in the war games.

Commodore Mariano Sontillanosa, commander of the Philippine contingent, said the training is focused on naval exercises between the Philippine and US Navies.

"We will go out to sea on the sixth day and do tactical maneuvers, some station tripping, salvage operation, maritime surveillance and it will be capped by an amphibious landing activity," he said.

Sontillanosa said the war games have nothing to do with the kidnapping of Americans from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan by Abu Sayyaf bandits.

"The exercise was planned even way before the Abu Sayyaf-Puerto Princesa issue started and took almost a year’s worth of preparations under the Visiting Forces Agreement," he said. "It just so happened that something happened in the South, but this has nothing to do with Carat 2001."

On the other hand, US Navy Capt. Gary Erickson, commander of Navy Squadron One and head of contingent, said US troops, apart from holding seminars and training, will also be involved in various socio-cultural activities in communities around the free economic zone.

"We think the Philippine Navy does a lot of things very well," he said. "It’s a great opportunity for the US Navy and Marines to come and interact with host Philippine Navy."

Philippine Navy Capt. Pancracio Alfonso, assistant chief of naval staff, formally opened Carat 2001, which will be held until June 11.

Chairman Felicito Payumo of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority welcomed the officers and men participating in Carat 2001 when they made a courtesy call at his office.

"We welcome them here as our guests and SBMA is hoping for safe conduct of the military exercise," he said.

Some 1,400 US troops arrived here Thursday noon aboard three US warships –the USS Rushmore, USS Curt, and USS Wadsworth, while the Philippine contingent arrived earlier aboard the BRP Apolinario Mabini, BRP Artemio Ricarte, and BRP Bacolod City. –Bebot Sison Jr.