U.S. Humanitarian Efforts Praised In Southern Philippines

Philippine and U.S. sailor unload boxes of humanitarian supplies. (Photo contributed by Mark Alvarez.)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Jun) – Filipino villagers praised U.S. soldiers involved in the humanitarian mission in the southern region of Mindanao, where Philippine and American forces are holding a joint naval warfare training.

Some 2,000 troops are currently participating in the ten-day “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training,” known as CARAT 2007 which started last week.

CARAT 2007 is a combined naval tactical operations exercise involving fleet forces of both the Philippine and United States Navies. The exercise also focuses on relationship building through social and community service events such as providing free medical, dental, and veterinary care in host communities.

U.S. and Philippine sailors visited the Boalan Elementary School in Zamboanga City and donated sports equipment, books, food, and hygiene materials. They also provided free medical and dental care to villagers in Basilan island.

"We are really lucky about all these gifts and many students like me will benefit from the books donated by the Americans," Bennie Santiago, a grade schooler, told the independent Mindanao Examiner newspaper.

“Partnership is the key theme of the bilateral naval exercises ongoing between the United States and Philippine Navies,” the U.S. Embassy said on Monday.

Three U.S. ships -- the USS Harpers Ferry from Sasebo, Japan; the USS Ford from Everett, Washington; and the USS Jarrett from San Diego, California -- and three smaller Philippine boats are participating in the training. (Mindanao Examiner)