Over 1,100 soldiers join AFP DAGIT-PA exercises

More than 1,100 soldiers will participate in Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Exercise (AJEX) Dagat-Langit-Lupa (DAGIT-PA), which seeks to address current defense and security issues and harness the capabilities of the major services.

The AFP  formally opened on Monday the AJEX DAGIT-PA, a unilateral exercise that “aims to further enhance the Joint Force interoperability and cohesiveness” of the army across defense mission areas.

“The AFP-wide/AFP-only exercise integrates Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army and Special Operations Forces to level up our operational effectiveness in sea, air, and land,” AFP spokesperson Major General Edgardo Arevalo said in a statement.

The AFP said the drills will focus on territorial defense; internal security operations; humanitarian assistance and disaster response; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives; and cyber defense operations.

The AFP added that this year’s trainings will be held from November 23 to December 4 in Northern Luzon Command and in the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Among the major exercises to be held are the amphibious operations and island defense exercises in San Antonio, Zambales; combined arms live fire exercises in Capas, Tarlac; cyber defense exercises in Camp Aguinaldo; and staff exercises in NOLCOM headquarters.

The AFP said the Philippine Army will also be utilizing its armored vehicles and combat engineering equipment while the Philippine Navy will deploy BRP Jose Rizal FF-150 vessel, other patrol ships, landing dock, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Also participating are the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 aircraft and the Philippine Marines’ amphibious assault vehicles.

“Our objective is to enhance personnel capacity and capabilities of the joint forces that will enable them to be readily deployable in contingencies concerning maritime security, territorial defense, counter-terrorism, and natural disasters and calamities,” Arevalo said.

Meanwhile, the AFP assured that all face-to-face activities during the training will be carried out with strict adherence to the minimum health standards set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19.

All participants were also cleared of the virus by medical professionals prior to the start of the training, the AFP added.

Further, the AFP said medical services will be provided to all personnel of the different component forces, while those who will manifest symptoms will be immediately pulled out from the training and will be immediately isolated in the nearest military treatment facility. -NB, GMA News