MARINE BARRACKS RUDIARDO BROWN, Philippines – (From left to right) Philippine Brig. Gen. Arthur Ang, the U.S Ambassador to the Philippines, The Honorable Philip S. Goldberg, and Brig. Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, commanding general, 1st Marine Logistics Group, observe participants of Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar (NOLES) 2014, August 14, during a demonstration of Non-lethal Weapons techniques. NOLES is an annual field-training exercise and leadership seminar sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and hosted by various nations throughout the Asia-Pacific. This is the 13th iteration of NOLES with members from the AFP, and Philippine National Police participating.

Photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada

AFP, PNP demonstrate techniques learned throughout NOLES

14 Aug 2014 | Cpl. Erik Estrada U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

MARINE BARRACKS RUDIARDO BROWN, Philippines --

Service members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and police officers with the Philippine National Police demonstrated techniques learned throughout the field training exercise portion of Non-lethal Weapons Executive Seminar (NOLES) 2014, August 14, in front of senior leaders from 20 nations.

This year marks the 13th iteration of this event, which is held annually by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and consists of a field-training exercise and a leadership seminar. This marks the first time the AFP are hosting NOLES. The exercise promotes awareness and effective use of non-lethal weapons (NLW) to maintain order in low-intensity conflicts or civil unrest.

The demonstration is the final part of the FTX, and the first part of the leadership seminar to show other nations the effectiveness of non-lethal tactics.

“The seminar portion is to educate leaders. We have colonels and lieutenant colonels from peace keeping organizations, and 20 countries here today that will hopefully take back some of the knowledge and information, and implement into their operations and plans,” said Mr. Larry Brown, Non-lethal Weapons Officer for Pacific Command (PACOM) and MarForPac.

The AFP and PNP participants learned various non-lethal tactics during the past week and a half that included Mechanical Advantage Control Holds (MACH), Taser and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray training, the shooting of non-lethal munitions, and riot formations to help during crowd disturbances.

“The Filipinos performed outstanding; they did everything we taught them; and we had no problems,” said GySgt. Herman L. Marquez III, a non-lethal weapons instructor from 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “This was great.”

Now that the exercise is in it’s final stage, the Marines from 3rd LE Bn., prepare to go back to Okinawa, but have good feelings about the experience here at NOLES.

“I really enjoyed this NOLES, I think it was a success and it went well for both nations partaking in it,” said Marquez, who is participating in his second NOLES. “If we got asked to come to the Philippines again, I would be honored.”