AFP, US Marines start military drills in Subic

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3d MEB) of the United States Marine Corps opened yesterday the Kamandag  2 Exercises at the Subic Bay International Airport.

The event marked the start of a series of activities to be held in separate areas in Luzon from Oct. 1 to 10.

Aside from the US and the Philippines, the Kamandag 2, or the Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat 2, will also be joined by a team from Japan.

The Philippine-led exercises will include military-to-military exchanges between the AFP and the 3d MEB, and will focus on counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.

The drills are expected to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the US and Philippine forces, as both countries continue their commitment to support each other as friends, partners and allies. 

The AFP said the servicemen would practice humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as engage in amphibious landing and trainings on live fire, close air support, jungle survival, urban operations and combat lifesaving.

“In its first iteration last year, Kamandag gave rise to many inaugural advancements between our militaries. I’m looking forward to all that we’re going to achieve together this year,” Brig. Gen. Chris McPhillips, 3d MEB commanding general, said during the opening ceremony. – Pia Lee-Brago