CAPAS, Tarlac (PIA) -- The Philippine Army has made significant strides in its training and education programs, reserve force management, and system under Bagong Pilipinas. 

This was highlighted by Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido during the service branch’s 127th Founding Anniversary celebration held at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. 

He said such efforts aim to develop an agile and precise Army that is capable of defending the country and its people against any threat. 

Among these include the recently concluded Combined Arms Training Exercise “Katihan” (CATEX) which tests the capability of the Army to move, maneuver, and sustain large-scale forces during combat operations. 

“We just concluded the conduct of CATEX— the first Army field exercise composed of more than 3,000 troops on the ground performing the territorial defense operation and capability domain we are developing aside from the internal security operation that we normally do,” he explained. 

CATEX is in compliance with the Department of National Defense’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept that ensures enhanced military capabilities to defend the land, air, and maritime domain.

Apart from training exercises, new training facilities across the country are underway to provide a conducive training environment for candidate soldiers and Army officers. 

In terms of reserve force management, Galido emphasized firm leadership guidance for Army reserve forces. 

“This endeavor entails the development of our Army sustainment system in the manner on how we equip, train and support them while being purposive on how our regular and reserve force operate in a seamless manner, both in peace and in time of crisis,” he stated.