Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. on Friday cited the United States and the Philippine Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) this year for having sharpened the skills of the Filipino Marines through joint military exercises.
For the past three weeks, the US Marines and their Filipino counterparts conducted large scale military exercises in the country, seen as a reaffirmation of the US commitment to security in Asia.
In his remarks at the conclusion of the drills in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Adaci explained that this year’s MASA was “specifically designed to enhance capabilities, develop interoperability, and strengthen cooperation in the context of aviation-supported operations.”
“This year’s activities were extensive and varied, ranging from littoral live-fire exercises and forward arming and refueling operations to maritime key terrain security operations and tactical combat casualty care.” Adaci said.
He also emphasized the involvement of two countries’ forces that enriched the naval training experience of the Philippines, honing the Navy’s capacity for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and improved readiness to provide effective aid during natural disasters.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of MASA 2024 has been the diverse participation of various forces from both the Philippines and the United States,” Adaci said.
“The involvement of such diverse forces has enriched our training experience and showcased the strength and versatility of our collective capabilities,” he added.
The Navy flag-officer-in-command clarified however, that despite the tension in the West Philippine Sea, the exercise was not aimed to address or resolve this issue. “We are here because conducting MASA and similar exercises is a responsibility we have as a nation to maintain readiness and effectiveness of our military forces,” he said.
