PHL, US to hold KAMANDAG military exercises this October

Philippine and the United States (US) militaries were set to begin joint inter-operability exercises in different training sites in Luzon, according to the US Embassy on Friday.

Dubbed as Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat or KAMANDAG, the exercise aims to enhance multinational military inter-operability, readiness, and capabilities among the two countries.

The KAMANDAG exercise would take place from October 9 to 18 during which security forces would conduct amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism response operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

"It will also be the first to include US and Philippine low-altitude air defense training and threat reaction training," the US Embassy said.

"Together, these activities represent an increase in military capability and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and demonstrate the ability to forward deploy forces in the event of a crisis or natural disaster."

The exercise would also feature cooperative health engagements, civil affairs interactions and community relations events throughout the region.

KAMANDAG 3 is a Philippine-led, bilateral exercise with the US, which highlights the defense partnership between the two countries. — DVM, GMA News