Photo courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines.
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States have launched large-scale joint exercises with key allies that are set to be undertaken in several strategic areas in the Philippines, including those facing Taiwan and the South China Sea.
These military exercises will involve more than 2,000 American troops and Filipino soldiers and personnel and will include island-based exercises in amphibious landings, live fire, and humanitarian assistance, the AFP said.
Australia, Britain, Japan, and South Korea are joining the exercises, which are taking place while joint naval drills between the Philippines, the US, and four other countries off the coast of northern Luzon are underway.
The annual Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat (KAMANDAG), meaning “Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea,” was led by the Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps. The exercises are focused on defending the north coast of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, which lies about 800 kilometers from Taiwan.
Major General Arturo Rojas, Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. said, “KAMANDAG is more than just defense. It is about building trust, fostering cooperation, and reinforcing the partnerships that allow us to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
It reflects the strong ties between the Philippines and its allies and a collective will to safeguard peace and stability in the region, he added.
Rojas said KAMANDAG reflected the strong ties between the Philippines and its allies and a collective will to safeguard peace and stability in the region.
On Oct. 14, the Philippines and the US conducted a series of advanced maritime drills as part of Exercise SAMASAMA.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the launch on Monday of the Sama-Sama advanced maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea was a success.
Focusing on anti-submarine warfare and joint patrol operations, the exercise highlights both nations’ commitment to enhancing interoperability and collective defense capabilities in maritime security, he said.
Trinidad said the day’s activities included the Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX), where both forces engaged in Torpedo Exercises using the Expandable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATTEX).
In addition to CASEX, the Joint and Combined Patrol (Night Steaming in Company) was conducted, simulating real-world scenarios of patrolling contested waters. This drill aimed to enhance coordination between participating units in a nighttime operational setting, improving response capabilities in crisis situations.
Alongside these key exercises, the naval forces executed Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX) and Shipboard Casualty Care drills. These activities not only focused on combat readiness but also on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, integral aspects of modern naval operations.
The AFP added, “The ongoing Sea Phase of SAMASAMA 2024 underscores the shared objective of both the Philippines and the United States to address maritime security challenges through cooperation and joint operations. The participation of the Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and other allied navies in later exercises also further strengthens this commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
In Pili, Camarines Sur, and other parts of the Bicol Region, Filipino and Australian soldiers held war drills as part of the second leg of this year’s Exercise Kasangga 2024. This joint exercise will run until Nov. 8. (PIA DMD)
