US to send 1,400 troops, 3 ships for war games in RP
The United States will send 1,400 military personnel and three warships to train with Philippine naval forces in areas near Zamboanga and Basilan starting May 31.
The war games, dubbed “Carat 2007" (cooperation afloat readiness and training) and will be the 13th edition of the annual training, the US Embassy said in a statement on Thursday.
“Carat...is designed to enhance the ability of our nations to work together in maritime situations that range from natural disasters to maritime interception of criminals and terrorists," the US Embassy said.
The US Navy will send the USS Harpers Ferry, a 16,500-ton amphibious warfare ship, and two 4,000-ton frigates, the USS Ford and USS Jarrett, for the military exercises.
The 1,400 US military personnel will also include engineers, doctors and veterinarians who will take part in humanitarian missions in the country.
Activists have protested the conduct of the joint Philippine-US military exercises.
Controversy heightened when US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith and three others, who were part of US forces in the Philippnes for training, were accused in the rape of a Filipino woman in Subic in November 2005.
A Makati City court convicted Smith in December 2006 of raping "Nicole" (not her real name) but after being held briefly at a local jail, was moved later that month to the US Embassy in Manila where he remains while his case is under the appeal. The three other US marines were acquitted and quickly flown out of the country. -GMANews.TV
The war games, dubbed “Carat 2007" (cooperation afloat readiness and training) and will be the 13th edition of the annual training, the US Embassy said in a statement on Thursday.
“Carat...is designed to enhance the ability of our nations to work together in maritime situations that range from natural disasters to maritime interception of criminals and terrorists," the US Embassy said.
The US Navy will send the USS Harpers Ferry, a 16,500-ton amphibious warfare ship, and two 4,000-ton frigates, the USS Ford and USS Jarrett, for the military exercises.
The 1,400 US military personnel will also include engineers, doctors and veterinarians who will take part in humanitarian missions in the country.
Activists have protested the conduct of the joint Philippine-US military exercises.
Controversy heightened when US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith and three others, who were part of US forces in the Philippnes for training, were accused in the rape of a Filipino woman in Subic in November 2005.
A Makati City court convicted Smith in December 2006 of raping "Nicole" (not her real name) but after being held briefly at a local jail, was moved later that month to the US Embassy in Manila where he remains while his case is under the appeal. The three other US marines were acquitted and quickly flown out of the country. -GMANews.TV
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
