American and Filipino military forces have completed a two-month joint/combined exchange training (JCET) in Palawan aimed at developing counterterrorism tactics and skills, the US Embassy in the Philippines announced on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020.
Conducted from January to February this year, the US Embassy said that US Army Special Operations Forces and elite contingents of the Philippine 18th Special Forces Company conducted joint training that covered a variety of counterterrorism subjects and exercises.
“Training not only focused on tactical skills, but also stressed the importance of local community support and outreach as part of a holistic counterterrorism strategy,” the embassy said.
Each JCET is funded by the US Department of Defense (DOD), and on average costs an estimated PHP 5,000,000 ($100,000).
Last year, DOD sponsored seven US-Philippine JCET events, with costs exceeding PHP 50,000,000 ($1,000,000).
“With the knowledge and experience gained from training shoulder-to-shoulder, the US and Philippine troops continue to hone their counterterrorism tactics and skills. The joint training also helps to strengthen the long-standing bond between US and Philippine military forces,” the embassy said.
The US, as a long-standing friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, continues to provide support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through a variety of trainings, it said. ##
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