Lieutenant Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, Commander of US Marine Forces Pacific’s (Marforpac), visit to the Philippines from Feb. 16 to 18 emphasized the importance of the US-Philippine alliance to the Indo-Pacific region.
During his visit, Craparotta met with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps General Alvin Parreño to discuss the US Marine Corps-AFP partnership.
Craparotta joined Parreño to deliver opening remarks at the US Marine Forces Pacific Marine-to-Marine Staff Talks, a bilateral exchange in which members of the US and Philippine Marine Corps discuss opportunities to increase collaboration in the future.
“These Philippine Marine Corps-Marforpac Marine to Marine Staff Talks promote cooperation and interoperability between our forces. As the warriors from the sea and the crisis response force, we the Marines have always been ready and responsive to address the defense and security challenges of the Pacific region,” said Parreño.
Craparotta discussed specific lines of effort outlined by former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. and Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Philip Davidson, which will frame the US and Philippine Marine Corps’ exercises and activities in the future.
“This week we are here to focus on training, readiness, [and] interoperability, not just for today and 2020, but really for the future,” said Craparotta. “This is a long and lasting critical partnership for the region.”
Craparotta’s visit to the Philippines, his first since taking command of Marforpac in August of 2018, reaffirmed the US Marine Corps’ close ties with the PMC. (usaid)
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