RP-US naval war games open at Subic

Philippine and United States forces opened yesterday in Subic Bay in Zambales another joint military training exercise even as war games have yet to wrap up in strife-torn Basilan in Mindanao.

The 11-day "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2002" kicked off in rites held at the Subic Bay Freeport with US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and Commodore Charles Martoglio of the US navy in attendance.

Martoglio’s Philippine counterpart is Navy Capt. Quirico Evangelista Jr.

The seaborne maneuvers — an annual affair between the two countries — involve some 1,400 US Navy and Marine troops and about the same size of Philippine Navy and Coast Guard contingent.

In a press briefing prior to the launching rites, a US military information officer said the joint exercise is held yearly under the bilateral Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

US Navy Lt. Leslie Hull-Ryde, CARAT 2002 public affairs officer, said the war games were meant to train Filipino soldiers in the use of modern weapons, as well as promote bilateral cooperation in operational planning and tactics.

Ryde clarified earlier that CARAT 2002 is not tied to the controversial anti-terrorism training exercise in Basilan which is set to wind up on July 31.

For his part, Lt. Col. Danilo Servando, CARAT 2002 spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said adequate security measures have been set in place for the Americans.

"We have also informed the local populace, from the mayors to the barangay level, that we have visitors to protect," Servando said.

Philippine officials said this year’s exercise will have a bigger component on social outreach projects.

US Navy and Coast Guard ships taking part in the exercise are the USS Vincennes, USS Anchorage, USS George Philip, USCGC Morgentheu and USS Salvon.

The vessels steamed into Subic Bay yesterday and were moored at Alava Pier.

The US seacraft will be joined by five Philippine Navy ships– the BRP Apolinario Mabini, BRP Artemio Ricarte, BRP Bacolod City, BRP Pangasinan and the BRP Rizal --plus two patrol gunboats, two aircraft composed of a BN Islander and helicopter and a search and rescue vessel.

On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) fielded BRP San Juan and BRP EDSA Dos for the exercise.

The PCG also deployed 93 of its men from various units, lead by PCG Training Center chief Commodore Danilo Abinoja and Capt. Antonio Vilda, skipper of BRP San Juan.

A PCG statement said the maneuvers will involve training modules in pollution response, port state control, pier side boarding, maritime surveillance, anti-narcotics and counter-terrorism.

Philippine Navy flag officer-in-command Vice Adm. Victorino Hingco expressed optimism that this year’s CARAT "will address and improve the deficiencies and other concerns noted by both navies during last year’s exercise."

"We will correct whatever shortcomings we had in the past and strengthen our good points in this year’s exercise. The Philippine Navy remains committed as a partner to the US Navy’s role as a stabilizing force in the region," Hingco said in a statement.

PCG commandant Vice Adm. Reuben Lista viewed the affair as a big boost to the PCG’s training program, adding that the technology and information exchange will help them pinpoint areas in maritime safety that need to be improved.

"The exercise will also enhance the inter-operability among the PCG, the Philippine Navy and the US military especially in the global fight against terrorism and piracy," Lista stressed.

He also said the exercise will enable the PCG to ultimately attain recognition as a "separate and distinct service institution from the Philippine Navy."

Militant organizations led by Sanlakas have threatened to disrupt CARAT 2002 by intruding into the training areas.

Sanlakas president Wilson Fortaleza branded the war games as a "prelude to the signing of the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement" which the government allegedly wanted to take place within the month.

"There will be protest actions against foreign troops where they least expect it," Fortaleza said.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the Balikatan 02-1 joint training exercise on anti-terrorism was "very successful."

"There are tremendous benefits (such as) exposure to new technology. This will help us in assessing how we should modernize in the light of terrorism threats by way of working hand in hand with a modern military," Golez said.

This developed as the AFP negotiated for the US military equipment and supplies that the Americans may leave behind after the Balikatan ended.

Maj. Cynthia Teramae, spokeswoman for the US contingent, pointed out, however, that they still have no idea on what things they may donate to the AFP.

USS Fort McHenry is expected to drop anchor soon off Zamboanga to fetch the US military engineering equipment used for the socio-economic component of Balikatan. — Nestor Etolle, Christina Mendez, Ding Cervantes, Roel Pareño