Friday, March 04, 2005

U.S. Military Officials In The Philippines For Counter-Terror Cooperation

TWO United States Military officials have arrived in the Philippines as part of efforts to boost counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday. Lieutenant General John M. Brown III, commander of the US Army Pacific Command based in Fort Shafter, Hawaii, will observe the Balikatan-05 joint military exercises in Southern Luzon, the DND said in a statement. Rear Admiral Kenneth Deutsch, commander of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Force and Fleet Air Western Pacific based in Japan, will help train patrol squadrons, it said. "These visits are part of a regular series of meetings between the military and security officials of both countries to discuss continued programs for sustained counter-terrorism capability," the statement said. The two officials are also scheduled to meet with officials of the DND, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the US Embassy in Manila. This year's Balikatan war games are concentrated on relief and rehabilitation efforts for typhoon-stricken communities in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
Rear Admiral Kenneth Deutsch & Lieutenant General John M. Brown III