Philippines to host training with thousands of US Marines

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Marine Corps will host an annual interoperability training with about 2,300 United States and Philippine servicemen on September 18.

The bilateral exercise called PHIBLEX focuses on air-ground and amphibious training and staff planning and create a venue to share best practices.

The US' Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade will be paired with the country's Navy, Air Force and Army units for training and community assistance in various locations.

Selected training camps of the Armed Forces will include such as the Naval Education and Training Command in Zambales, Crow Valley in Tarlac, Marine Base Gregorio Lim in Cavite, Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Manila and Basa Airbase in Pampanga.

This year's PHIBLEX started in 1999 aiming to improve readiness and abilities of two camps to respond to natural disasters and other regional contingencies.

Both forces will also carry out humanitarian and civic assistance projects in several communities in Legaspi City, Albay.

The country is currently negotiating a temporary access of US troops amid China's assertiveness over Philippine-claimed coastal territories. - Camille Diola