5,000 troops to join Army's 'historic' large-scale training exercise in March

Up to 5,000 soldiers are expected to take part in the Philippine Army’s (PA) first army-wide Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) “Katihan” on March 22, 2024.

The upcoming large scale exercise coincides with the commemoration of the 127th Philippine Army Day along with the celebration of the 127th Philippine Army Day.

According to PA Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido during amedia briefing at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Thursday, the exercise will be held in Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac with President and Commander-in-Chief Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in attendance.

Exercise Katihan will involve around 4,000 to 5,000 troops that will include units from the Visayas and Mindanao. The focus of the training is to bolster the Army's shift to territorial defense operations.

CATEX “Katihan” will “emphasize the significance of training in creating a formidable and robust army”, according to Army Chief Public Affairs and Spokesman Col. Louie G. Dema-ala.—RF, GMA Integrated News