The Philippines has a very good jungle warfare school in Ternate, Cavite, a ranking American military official involved in the anti-terrorism phase of this year’s “Balikatan” exercises, has said.
In an interview Tuesday, US Joint Task Force commander Brig. Gen. John Jansen said he has observed American and Filipino troops perform counter-terrorism drills in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija and Ternate, Cavite a few days ago.
“They train to a very high level that brings in the kind of capabilities that you need to be able to locate, identify, track, close with and do the things that need to be done relative to terrorists,” Jansen said.
Drills include clearing a town infested with terrorists and disarming improvised bombs and explosives left by lawless elements.
“You’ve got a very good jungle warfare training school down there. In fact, we think we have a very good jungle warfare training school in Okinawa, Japan. It’s very tough, they put you out there with a bottle of water and a Kaybar knife. They put you out there and pick you up in seven days kind of thing. Our Marines say that yours is tougher here, down there in Ternate,” he added.
This year’s “Balikatan” exercises began last May 8 and winds up on May 19. (PNA)
