03 July 2015 - The new US Pacific Command (USPACOM) Commander, Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr. of the US Navy welcomed Philippine Consulate General officials led by Consul General Gina Jamoralin and AFP Liaison Officer to USPACOM, Capt. Rey dela Cruz, Philippine Navy at USPACOM Headquarters at Camp Smith, Honolulu on June 29. Admiral Harris assumed his position last May 27 during the USPACOM Change of Command ceremonies held at Pearl Harbor.
Consul General Jamoralin thanked Admiral Harris for attending the diplomatice reception of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence hosted by the Philippine Consulate General last June 12 held at Hilton Waikiki Beach hotel. It was Admiral Harris’ first official public event since assuming command of USPACOM.
Consul General Jamoralin thanked Admiral Harris for his support for a peaceful and rules-based approach to resolving territorial dispute in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea and his expressions of concern over massive reclamation activities in the area. Consul General Jamoralin provided him an update on the status of the Philippine arbitration claim filed with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Admiral Harris acknowledged the importance of the Philippines as a security ally and expressed satisfaction with the just recently concluded annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 Exercise in Palawan last month where the United States, Philippines and Japan participated. Admiral Harris and Consul General Jamoralin also discussed ways on how to enhance the country’s maritime domain awareness.
Admiral Harris confirmed his plan to visit the Philippines this year as Commander of USPACOM. He visited the Philippines in February 2014 as Commander of the US Pacific Fleet in connection with USPACOM humanitarian assistance to Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda. END