Isle soldiers will practice
in Guam for terror disaster

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Associated Press

HAGATNA, Guam >> Military personnel from Hawaii, the Philippines and Guam have scheduled disaster preparedness and anti-terrorism exercises here later this year, a military official said.

"We have all agreed that I will host it," Guam National Guard Adjutant Gen. Benny Paulino said at the recently concluded State Partnership for Peace Program conference on Guam.

Military officials from Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Guam National Guard attended the conference and laid out a five-year plan, Paulino said.

The first exercises are scheduled for December. Paulino said there are 30 countries in all that may be invited.

The Peace Program conference began Thursday with a focus on safety and security among democratic societies.

A nine-member delegation from the Philippines was headed by Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Avelino Abiol, while Hawaii National Guard Adjutant Gen. Edward Correa attended with six other military officers, according to Guam National Guard spokesman John Leon Guerrero.

Abiol said projects of mutual interest also were planned to enhance the bond among participants.

Added Correa: "We are a society that will work (and continue to) fight to eliminate (terrorist threats). I'm so glad that we had this discussion."

Guam is a U.S. territory about 3,700 miles west of Hawaii.