US lawmakers visit PH as joint military drills kicked off in Zambales
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MANILA, Philippines — Two lawmakers from the United States (US) House of Representatives are currently in the Philippines in an effort to strengthen bilateral relations between Washington and Manila.
In a statement on Monday, the office of Philippine House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez confirmed that Reps. Seth Moulton (Massachusetts-Democrat) and Mike Waltz (Florida-Republican) are in the country.
Their visit comes as the first stage of a two-week joint military exercise was launched in Zambales. The war games are anticipated to feature live-fire drills.
The two US lawmakers were welcomed by Senator Imee Marcos – sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – and other lawmakers like Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo, and Camarines Sur 1st District Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata.
According to Romualdez’s office, Moulton and Waltz are both members of the US House committee on armed services.
“The visit of the US lawmakers, who are both members of the US House Committee on Armed Services, occurred as 2,550 US Marines and their 630 Filipino counterparts kicked off the first stage of their two-week joint military exercises,” the office of Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos Jr., said in a statement.
“This is the first time joint military exercises are held under the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongnong’ Marcos Jr.,” it also said.
“The war games, dubbed ‘Kamandag’ or ‘Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea’ will last until October 14 and includes combined live-fire exercise featuring aircraft and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, as well as amphibious operations along the coast of Zambales province,” it added.
“South Korea and Japan also sent their troops as observers,” it further noted.
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