The Philippine Air Force and the US Military ended a six-day medical mission in Negros Oriental, treating some 6000 patients in Dumaguete and Tanjay cities.
The medical mission, dubbed Operation Pacific Angel 13-1, was initially intended to serve the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Negros Oriental last February 2012 but ended up serving thousands more who had previously been identified by barangay health workers and other provincial officials.
The Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center in Dumaguete City and the Osmena Park in Tanjay City served as the treatment centers in the six-day event.
While the medical teams were attending to patients, Eighteen military men and 15 police personnel in Negros Oriental took part in a civil disturbance management (CDM) exercise with the United States (US) Air Force Pacific Command at the Sibulan Police headquarters.
The subject matter expert exchanges (SMEES) exercise is part of Pacific Angel 13-1.
Capt. Cresencio Gargar, information officer of the Philippine Army, said the CDM exercise aimed to enhance the inter-operability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and AFP in dealing with mass protest and crowd control.
302nd Brigade Commander and the Exercise Director, Col Francisco Patrimonio however said they want the troops to be prepared for any eventualities that may arise during conduct of the activity. “Besides, this is a good exercise for the PNP and AFP to work jointly in preparation for the forthcoming elections.”
According to Gargar the local PNP and U.S. Air Force Pacific Command both exchanged its expertise in CDM techniques and formations during the discussion with the troops and practical exercises.
After the discussion, the troops equipped with shields, helmet and batons rehearsed the series of CDM formations in front of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) headquarters.
Capt Gargar said the practical exercise was closely supervised by PCI Lomente of the PNP, the Operations Officer of NOPPO with Sgt. Anthony Johnson of the US Air Force who demonstrated several techniques on how to use the telescopic baton – a vital CDM equipment. (PIA)
