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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

3rd Marine Division Commander visits the Southern Philippines


ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 16, 2011) – Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, center, meets with senior members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during an office call with Western Mindanao Command at Camp Navarro.  (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Demetrius Munnerlyn)


ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 16, 2011) – Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, left, meets with U.S. Marines assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines while visiting Camp Navarro.  (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Demetrius Munnerlyn)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

JSOTFP service members visit local orphanage

Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs Office
ZAMOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – On April 5, eleven service members from Joint Special Operations Task Force- Philippines, visited the “Reception and Study Center for Children,” a center for displaced children in Zamboanga City.  They brought with them boxes of donated clothes, toiletries, and candy.
The Reception and Study Center for Children is home to 45 children ranging from infants to young teenagers.  The center is part of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Everyone around camp is always asking me when our next trip to the orphanage is, so I try to plan as many as I can,” explained Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Price, the command chaplain assistant who helped coordinate the event.
In addition to the donations, members from JSOTF-P gave approximately P13,000 to the center.
“It’s good to see the kids,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Brendan Washock, who donated the money on behalf of the service members. “It puts a face to the mission we are doing down here” he added.
 “(JSOTF-P’s) visit here makes the children happy,” said Josefina Reyes, the head of the center. “They are delighted when people come and play with them.”
U.S. forces are temporarily deployed to the Philippines in a strictly non-combat role at the invitation of the Philippine government to advise and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fight terrorism and deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines.
"We are improving the local community by helping the less fortunate. It also presents a good image of American service members,” Price added.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

COMSOCPAC Visits the Southern Philippines



ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 7, 2011) -  Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, right, meets with Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen Raymundo B. Ferrer, commander, Western Mindanao Command during an office call while visiting Camp Navarro. Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.


ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (April 7, 2011) - Members of Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines brief Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus during his visit to Camp Navarro.  Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.

Monday, April 11, 2011

PNP Bomb Squad Competition


QUEZON CITY, Republic of the Philippines, (March 24, 2011) – A member of the Philippine National Police returns to the command post during a bomb squad countermeasures competition held at Camp Crame. Nine Philippine explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams took part in the competition and were graded on response procedures, execution and safety during an improvised explosive device scenario. Two explosive ordnance technicians from Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines served as judges during the event. (Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.)



QUEZON CITY, Republic of the Philippines, (March 24, 2011) – A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) removes a bomb suit from another PNP member after successfully demolishing a simulated explosive device during a bomb squad countermeasures competition held at Camp Crame. Nine Philippine explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams took part in the competition and were graded on response procedures, execution and safety during an improvised explosive device scenario. Two explosive ordnance technicians from Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines served as judges during the event. (Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.)


QUEZON CITY, Republic of the Philippines, (March 24, 2011) – A simulated explosive device is demolished during a bomb squad countermeasures competition held at Camp Crame. Nine Philippine explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams took part in the competition and were graded on response procedures, execution and safety during an improvised explosive device scenario. Two explosive ordnance technicians from Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines served as judges during the event. (Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 (SW) Ryan Valverde.)