Pacific Partnership 2024: Second Mission Triumphs in Legazpi, Philippines

A concerted effort between seven nations has delivered critical support to communities in the Indo-Pacific region. Participants from Australia, Japan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States engaged in various humanitarian activities over the course of their mission.

The team conducted basic first aid workshops for 98 community members, provided health and music education to 2,776 students, and facilitated training for search and rescue professionals alongside K-9 units. They also organized a multinational conference with faith leaders, provided spay and neuter clinics for 281 animals, performed eight public concerts, and renovated a building at Legazpi Port Elementary School.

Additionally, the Pacific Partnership worked with the Legazpi City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to run the city’s first tsunami response plan test.

“Pacific Partnership brings nations together to prepare in calm to respond in crisis,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, PP24-2 mission commander. “These multilateral efforts are crucial for disaster response preparedness, maritime security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal and Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox, commander of Southern Luzon Command, attended the closing ceremony. “Our collaboration is a testament that we can do great things if we put our efforts together for the benefit of the people,” said Mayor Rosal.

The Pacific Partnership originated after the catastrophic December 2004 tsunami in South and Southeast Asia. The first mission in 2006 aimed to enhance disaster relief capabilities in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste through collaboration between partner nation militaries and NGOs.

“This year’s progress is a clear reflection of our dedication to enhancing partnerships that are essential to our collective security and humanitarian efforts in the Indo-Pacific region,” added Lt. Gen. Palafox.

The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the region, with recent efforts including responses to natural disasters in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Japan.

Pacific Partnership 2024-2 is scheduled to include mission stops in Vietnam and the Federal States of Micronesia.

For more information about Pacific Partnership visit Arizonanews.org.