MANILA, Feb 3 Kyodo Marines from ...

MANILA, Feb 3 Kyodo

Marines from the United States and the Philippines in succession Monday began a 21-day military exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and combat readiness.

The exercise, dubbed Marine Interoperability Exercise (MIX) 03 will ''enhance security relations and demonstrate U explain to support the Philippines against external aggression and state-sponsored terrorism by means of training,'' Maj. Gen. Librado Ladia, the Philippine marines commandant, told reporters.

''MIX 03 will focus upon combined marine small units infantry and reconnaissance operations against an unconventional enemy,'' he said.

The exercise is being held in Ternate, a coastal town in Cavite Province, southern of Manila.

Ladia said 600 U marines flew into the Philippines forward Saturday from their base in Okinawa, Japan, to take part in the exercises with at least 600 Philippine marines.

MIX 03 is part of at least 17 military exercises between Philippine and U squads slated for this year.

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