1 month ago
6
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Pia Lee Brago - The Philippine Star
May 20, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Marines and the US Marine Corps will lead contingents from the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea from May 26 to June 6 in joint military exercises under Kamandag or Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat (alliance among the warriors of the seas).
The joint exercise, held every year since 2016, is aimed at enhancing multinational military readiness, interoperability and regional defense capabilities.
The US Indo-Pacific Command said the US Marine Corps’ Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) would be sent from Darwin, Australia for the exercise.
Col. Jason Armas, commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF, said Kamandag 9 is a clear demonstration of the strength of the US-Philippine alliance as well as their ironclad commitment to regional security and combined readiness.
“Training shoulder to shoulder with our Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) partners isn’t just about building interoperability – it’s about forging trust in the crucible of shared hardship and preparing together to respond with speed and precision to any crisis, anywhere, anytime,” Armas said.
The PMC said Kamandag will open at the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
The exercise will be held mostly in Luzon, particularly in Batanes and Palawan, and in Tawi Tawi.
The expanded scope and participation this year highlight the global importance of maritime security, the value of building multinational maritime domain awareness and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, according to organizers.
“This year’s Kamandag is a testament to the enduring partnership between the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps,” said Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. “By operating jointly in complex environments, we are strengthening our capability to defend the archipelago and contributing to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.”
Training events will include maritime key terrain security operations, defensive counter-landing, live-fire drills, littoral maneuver, amphibious operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training.
On Sunday, the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) held a flag-raising ceremony at Talampas ng Pilipinas, previously known as Philippine Rise, the Philippine Navy (PN) said yesterday.
As part of the 8th Talampas ng Pilipinas Commemoration, the Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto held the flag-raising in the waters of what used to be called Benham Rise
“The ceremony commemorates the renaming of the underwater feature, Philippine Rise, formerly the Benham Rise, in 2017,” the Philippine Navy said.
Two FA-50 fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force performed a fly-by during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard cutter Stratton concluded a four-day port visit to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Capt. Brian Krautler, commanding officer of the Stratton, welcomed US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and other PCG personnel aboard for a tour of the vessel last Friday.
“The arrival of the USCGC Stratton is a moment of pride and possibility,” Carlson said.
“This is the sixth USCG cutter exchange with the PCG since 2019 – a testament to the strength of our bond and the enduring value of our alliance. These engagements are a priority as they enhance our interoperability and deepen the trust that defines our maritime partnership,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.
Mongolia expressed support for the Philippines’ efforts at peaceful resolution of disputes.
In a joint statement following their meeting, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh highlighted their countries’ common values such as freedom, democracy and respect for human rights.
