This photo taken on July 22, 2017, shows Philippine Marines patrolling a deserted street in Marawi City. The jungle-hardened Marines found themselves in unfamiliar territory when they found themselves fighting in the urban setting. Urban warfare was a challenge addressed during the 10-day joint exercises between Filipino and American soldiers in Central Luzon that ended on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. AFP PHOTO
Filipino and American Marines held urban warfare drills during 10 days of military exercises that wrapped up Wednesday in Central Luzon.
The joint training dubbed “Kamandag” or Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigna ng Dagat were held in Crow Valley in Tarlac, San Antonio in Zambales and Casiguran in Aurora. It focused on counterterrorism operations that were unfamiliar to Filipino Marines.
Filipino soldiers learned urban warfare amid clashes in Marawi City where Marines have been battling ISIS-linked Maute terrorists since May 23.
“We need to improve in urban terrain, new equipment, sniping and counter sniping and night fighting system,” Marines chief Brig. Gen. Alvin Parreno told reporters.
He admitted that urban warfare was a new challenge for the Marines deployed in Marawi.
“On the first week, the first month it was a challenging new concept for us. We were able to learn. We learned to anticipate the movement of the enemy,” Parreno said of urban warfare.
About 500 Philippine Marines trained with about 900 members of the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Brigade to enhance their adaptability to the current security environment.
Aside from counterterrorism, soldiers from the two countries also held civil humanitarian activities.
“Every training meron tayong natutunan na bago, yung relationship natin napapaigting hanggang sa ngayon. On the side of the US forces we have a different experience other than jungle warfare. We also have the urban terrain,” Parreno said. /cbb