A bilateral military exercise between the United States and the Philippines has kicked off in various parts of Northern and Central Luzon.

Two C-130 transport planes and four F-35B aircrafts from the US Marine Corps took off from Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

One C-130 headed to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte for the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 2024 while another carried sixteen US Marines and one Filipino Marine to Zambales. 

Alongside them, four F-35B aircraft dropped seven ordnance bombs on target in the coastal area of Zambales.

"The mission was pretty smooth today. There are a little bit of delays out there. Always a little bit of friction when you’re doing a bilateral exercise like this, but it went pretty smoothly and well planned," Major John-Paul Reyes, Operations Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, US Marine Corps, said.

"The targets are basically fabricated materials to assimilate a real-life target such as ships or land vehicles that may be used for training," Major Knight Ace Manlulu, Assistant Director for International Defense Cooperation Training at the Philippine Air Force, said.

Zambales was chosen as the ordnance dropping area due to its suitability, safety, and proximity to the airbase.

MASA 2024 aims to enhance coordination between Philippine and American military forces using their respective assets.

"Masa is an annual activity between the two allied countries. It is a bilateral activity between the Philippine Marine Corps and US Marine Corps. We normally do this to strengthen the camaraderie with them as well as learn new capabilities from them," Manlulu said.

Over 3,000 US Marines, Philippine Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel are participating in MASA.

Reyes said despite technological differences, the dedication of the Philippine military remains unquestionable.

"I can’t speak to the equipment personally, [but] what I can speak to is the willingness to work – our willingness to work together, and really to accomplish the overall mission," he said.

MASA 2024 began on June 1 and will continue until June 21.

LITTORAL LIVE EXERCISE

Meanwhile, the Fourth Marine Brigade staged a military exercise known as the Littoral Live Exercise at their camp in Burgos, Ilocos Norte to showcase the Philippine Marine Corps' (PMC) artillery capabilities.

The Marine Field Artillery Battalion demonstrated precision targeting using 105mm artillery on a target one mile away and 155mm howitzer on a target eight kilometers away. 

The scenario simulated counter-landing exercises to deter enemy approaches on coastal territories.

"’Counter landing’ means to prevent them from landing on our beaches. So, we use our artillery [for] these landings," BGEN. Vicente Mark Anthony Blanco, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, said.

Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Assistant Secretary Ana Carmela Remegio and Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos attended the event, even trying their hand on the 105mm artillery.

This type of training not only strengthens the cooperation between the Philippine and US Marine Corps but also provides an opportunity to enhance skills with modern US Army weaponry.

HUMANITARIAN

Before the exercise, the PMC and the provincial government distributed food packs to fishermen who couldn't go out to sea due to the said activity.

"Malaking kawalan para sa mga mangingisda at kanilang mga pamilya na hindi makapalaot sa dagat, pero malaking bagay at tulong naman ang handog ng Provincial Government at Philippine Marines," Cesar Ulnagan, Barangay Dilavo Chairperson in Pasuquin, said.

(with reports from Joanne Ponsoy and Ivy Hernando, GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon)