US Marine Forces Pacific commander visits Manila; emphasizes US-PH alliance

Manila, February 18, 2019—Lieutenant General Lewis A. Craparotta, commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific’s (MARFORPAC), visit to the Philippines from February 16-18, 2019 emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to the Indo-Pacific region.

During his visit, Mr. Craparotta met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) General Alvin Parreño to discuss the US Marine Corps-AFP partnership.

Mr. Craparotta joined Mr. 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 Mr. Parreño. “These topics also strengthen the trust and confidence that we have and promotes mutual security interests as well as contributing to global and security, peace security and stability.”

Mr. Craparotta discussed specific lines of effort outlined by former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Philip S. Davidson, which will frame the U.S. 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 Mr. Craparotta. “This is a long and lasting critical partnership for the region.”

Mr. Craparotta’s visit to the Philippines, his first since taking command of MARFORPAC in August of 2018, reaffirmed the U.S. Marine Corps’ close ties with the PMC. (US Embassy news)

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