RP, US soldiers to train under new security board

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military have agreed to conduct joint military exercises under the newly formed Security Engagement Board (SEB).

Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz said the AFP and its American counterparts had agreed in principle to conduct joint military training in key areas in the country, including Mindanao.

Cruz said the terms of reference (TOR) for the proposed joint military training have been finalized with only a few minor adjustments to be made.

"Tapos na. Kaka-conclude lang. Kaya nga ang susunod yung activities na," Cruz said in referring to the TOR in which the joint exercises would soon follow.

Dubbed as "Kapit Bisig," the joint military training would mainly focus on humanitarian and socio-economic aspects, Cruz said.

He said discussions are still underway between the AFP and the US military to agree on issues of security and support services to boost the counter-terrorism campaign of the Philippine government.

The agreement will focus on how the Filipino and American troops will commit themselves into delivering basic services to remote areas of the country.

According to Cruz, remote areas in Mindanao had been the major concern of the proposed RP-US joint humanitarian and socio-economic assistance exercises in bringing infrastructure projects in far-flung areas.

On security, Filipino and American troops would jointly train on counter-terrorism operations, addressing transnational crime, disaster preparedness and control of pandemic diseases.

The US military would further provide the AFP the necessary skills and training for its anti-terrorism campaign.

Cruz said the AFP’s plans and program division (J-5) are now discussing complete details of the military exercises under the SEB, with their counterpart from the US Pacific Command (PACO).

"Pinaplano pa, AFP J-5 will brief media kung makumpleto na nila yung set of activities na gagawin," he said.

Cruz clarified the holding of SEB’s joint military exercises will be totally different from the annual RP-US joint Balikatan exercises, sanctioned by the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.