The Philippines and the United States are regularly conducting the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises in the Philippines successfully but one intriguing footage of the exercise was the photo posted by Chiara Sambrano on Instagram. A photo which went viral recently features some members of the Philippine Navy using fake guns alongside members of the US Forces using a real gun.
Veteran journalist Chiara Zambrano even made a caption with the controversial photo: “Perhaps there is logic in making Filipino soldiers train with toy guns alongside one’s high-powered weapons. I’ll be sure to ask the organizers tomorrow, and share their answers with you. But the imagery yesterday’s exercise conveyed did not sit well with some observers. #CARAT”
According to the United States Navy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Navy and Marine Corps have participated in CARAT since the year 1995 and this year’s training kicked off during an opening ceremony in Puerto Princesa, Philipines on June 22, 2015.
CARAT Philippines will take place from June 22-26 on the ground in Puerto Princesa and in the waters and airspace of the Sulu Sea.
Although the photo already went viral online after it was posted on social media and even featured on ABS-CBN News, one netizen commented that he is a retired Senior Chief in the US Navy, he noted that they really use fake guns during training for counter terrorism and force protection drills.
Here’s the Official Post of Chiara Zambrano:
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