Ambassador Ricciardone visits Davao, meets Mayor Duterte and attends closing of Baker Piston training

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (left) welcomes Ambassador Francis Ricciardone during the closing ceremony of the RP-US Baker Piston 05-1 counter narcotics training conducted by the Joint Inter-agency Task Force West and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration at the Philippine Public Safety College Regional Training School in Mintal, Davao City. Also shown in photos are Usec. Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr., Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Ms. Margarita Cojuangco, President of the Philippine Public Safety College.

Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte practice shooting with the American-made M4 rifle after the closing ceremony of Baker Piston 05-1 where participants received training in rifle and pistol marksmanship, patrolling techniques, clandestine laboratory safety procedures, advanced combat lifesaving, building entry techniques and awareness on the Philippine legal and human rights issues.

Ambassador Francis Ricciardone emphasizes the strengthening of cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. governments in business, trade, law enforcement and national defense during the closing ceremony attended by Rear Admiral Richard Kelly, JIATF West Director; Usec. Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr., Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director; Ms. Margarita Cojuangco, President of the Philippine Public Safety College; PDDG Ricardo de Leon, Task Force Commander of the PNP AIDSOTF; Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte; and other PNP officials.