By Jaime Laude
MANILA, Philippines - Filipino and American troops will launch a naval disaster drill off Casiguran, Aurora near Benham Rise during this year’s joint Balikatan military exercises.
Officials said the joint military exercises would now focus on humanitarian response drills.
Dubbed as Civil-Military Activities from the Sea (CMA-S), the joint naval disaster maneuver will be conducted off the coastal areas of the country’s eastern seaboard.
This year’s Balikatan will involve units of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“Our ships with the US and the PCG will navigate from Subic Bay and they will be passing by the waters off Zambales, Cagayan Valley on their way to Casiguran, Aurora for launching of the sea-based disaster response scenario,” Balikatan spokesman for the Philippines Maj. Frank Sayson said.
Sayson said the joint disaster naval exercise along the Pacific coastline from Subic is expected to start on May 7 and be completed with a week.
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