Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – Visayas Command (VISCOM) to boost its capabilities on hazards and disaster response in the region with the conduct of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Training Exercise and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Training Exercise with the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
“These training exercises will certainly boost our capability in responding to any threats and hazards. These will help our personnel perform their duties with efficiency, as we ensure the safety and well-being of our people in the Visayas region,” said Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM.
The two training exercises have a duration of ten days which commenced on July 10. These are part of the five combined interoperability training events that are being conducted within VISCOM’s operational area under the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 2023.
The CBRNE and HADR training exercises are facilitated by the USMC with the objectives of capacitating the participants with the techniques and procedures in responding to different kinds of threats and hazards, as well as developing the camaraderie and interoperability between the USMC and the personnel of VISCOM.
The training exercises which were conducted in both classroom instruction and practical exercise approaches were participated by personnel of Health Service Center – Central, organic personnel of VISCOM, and personnel from VISCOM’s subordinate units.
Lt Gen Arevalo emphasized the importance of the aforesaid training exercises as he commends the USMC, “These training exercises are essential for us to sustain our gains in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 and as we continue to enhance our disaster response considering that the Visayas region is also a disaster-prone area. As such, I would like to commend our US counterparts, particularly the US Marine Corps for their unwavering commitment and overwhelming support to this undertaking.”
Lt Gen Arevalo concluded as he reaffirms their commitment to the people in the Visayas region, “As your reliable Armed Forces in the Visayas, it is imperative for us to keep improving our capabilities, for our people deserve nothing less than our best in the performance of our mandate.”
The MASA 2023 is a bilateral training exercise that focuses on the conduct of capacity enhancement training to develop the capability and interoperability of the allied forces not only in territorial defense but also in hazards and disaster response operations.
