Mindanao town execs look forward to PH-US naval war games in June

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Officials of the coastal town of Glan in Sarangani province have started preparations for their hosting of a joint naval exercise between the Philippine and US navies at the end of June.

Lieuutenant Joseph Armand Sieras, operations officer of the Naval Forces in Eastern Mindanao, said the two-week exercise will be held from June 28 to July 9 under the codename “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise 2012, or Carat.

He said that aside from the naval exercises, the Philippine and US forces will also be help fix roads, bridges and other public infrastructure and hold medical missions in selected villages in the municipality.

“Through these programs we hope to improve the quality of life and the general health and welfare of local residents, including government employees, and enable both navies to build a more personal relationship with them,” Sieras said.

He said US Navy representatives, led by Captain Wally Lovely, had toured possible sites for the civilian-military operation component of the exercise.

Glan Mayor Victor James Yap, Sr. said they have started preparing for the exercise, including the identification of sites for the medical missions.

He said the Glan government was happy over the choice of the town as venue for the war games because they would help boost local tourism.

“People following up the developments on television will be able to see our beautiful white-sand beaches, our rich vegetation, and the hospitality and gaiety of our people. That would be a big boost to our own tourism development efforts,” he said.