RP-US Marines exercises end with outreach in Maguindanao

RP-US Marines exercises end with outreach in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY — At least 400 families along the coastal town of Maguindanao del Norte benefited from the outreach services given by Filipino and American marines at the end of the joint Marine Exercises 2024 (Marex 24) in this city on Saturday, April 20.

Brigadier General Eric Macaambac, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, said the activity was an integral part of Marex 24 and included a range of services from medical and dental consultations, fluoride application, and tooth extraction. It also included “Silip-Linis Tenga” (ear cleaning) services, food feeding activities, and free haircut services, aimed at fostering peace, strengthening community ties, and delivering essential services to those in need, according to Macaambac.

The outreach was held at Mohammad Sinsuat Sr. Integrated School in Barangay Penansaran, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Around 40 U.S. Marines from the 1st Marine Regiment and 1st Marine Division and 350 Filipino marines, policemen, Navy, and marine reservists joined Marex 24, where from April 9 to 15, they conducted close-quarter battle (CQB) operation and live-fire exercises inside Camp Abubakar, the former camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte.

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Macaambac said the exercise was aimed at honing the skills of participating troops to enhance mutual defense capabilities.

During the 10 days, US and Filipino troops, conducted simulated night jungle operations where troops were equipped with night vision goggles.

Other joint exercises include amphibious assault operations, reconnaissance operations, island defense operations, internal territorial defense, and vessel board and seizure, among others.

He said the Full Mission Profile (FMP), the highlight of Marex24, showcased the comprehensive capabilities of the participating forces in maritime security operations in the littorals, amphibious assault operations, and special operations.

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“These events not only showcased the readiness and interoperability of our forces but also strengthened the bonds of partnership between the PMC and USMC,” Macaambac said.

In Zamboanga City, Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), announced the conclusion of the Joint Maritime Security Training Exercise 2024 (JMSTX 2024) between the American marines and Filipino troops from different joint task forces and operational control of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

“The conduct of the exercise was very timely as NFWM needs to test its maritime domain awareness, a major requirement in the realization of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) being pursued by the Philippine government in protecting its territorial integrity and national interests,” Miraflor said.

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He added that the weeklong exercise that started on April 15 and ended on April 19, enabled them to develop and enhance their maritime security response protocol to address various maritime threats under different scenarios. It also enabled them to harness joint and interagency collaboration to address various maritime security challenges, he said.

Miraflor said the JMSTX 2024 served as a platform for enhancing interoperability among participating units and advancing maritime defense capabilities in the Westmincom area of operation.

Throughout the exercise, naval and marine forces and other maritime law enforcers engaged in a series of simulated scenarios, ranging from maritime patrols to counter-piracy operations, aimed at strengthening readiness and response to maritime security challenges.