PALAWAN, Philippine Islands -- The city of Puerto Princesa held a welcome dinner for Brigadier Gen. Craig Timberlake, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and select members of international media at the Asturia Hotel, Oct. 26.
The dinner was attended by the vice mayor of the city, Lucilo Bayron; commander of Philippine Naval Forces West, Commodore Joseph Pena; deputy commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Brigadier General Eugenio Clemen; and numerous members of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission.
City officials provided a brief video presentation on the city’s natural wonder, the underground river, followed by a demonstration of the history and culture of Palawan. Popular national band Sinika provided music, while dancers of the local troupe Pankat demonstrated the dress and popular dances of the indigenous people.
“It was truly representative of the various cultures found in the Philippines and a great presentation,” said Timberlake. The guests of III MEB and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were recognized by the city for bringing part of the bilateral training of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012 to Palawan. The exercise is designed to increase the interoperability of US and Philippine forces.
“We’ve been conducting this exercise for several years,” said Clemen, “We believe we can both conduct our operations better if we are well coordinated.”