PH, US, Japan naval troops start military drills at Subic Bay

Brigadier General Chris McPhillips, Commanding General of the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Major General Nathaniel Casem, Inspector General of the Philippine Navy, and Brigadier General Melquiades Ordiales, Deputy Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, open exercise KAMANDAG 2 during a ceremony at Subic Bay International Airport.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A joint military exercise being conducted by the United States, Japan, and the Philippines kicked off on Monday at the Subic Bay International Airport.

About 1,000 naval and marine troops from the three countries are set to participate in the military drill dubbed “Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat” (KAMANDAG).

Capt. Jerber Anthony Belonio, director of the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office of the Philippine Marines, said KAMANDAG 2018 will be held from October 1 to 10 in various locations in Luzon.

Belonio said the training sites include Crow Valley in Tarlac province; Camp Gregorio Lim at Ternate town in Cavite province; and the Naval Education Training Command at San Antonio town in Zambales province.

Last week, amphibious landing crafts of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force started arriving in this former US naval base for repair.

KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” or “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea.”

The name emphasizes the close partnership between the Philippine and United States militaries, said an advisory from the US Embassy in Manila.

KAMANDAG aims to increase the overall U.S. and Philippine military readiness, improve bilateral responsiveness, and strengthen the working relationships between the participating countries.

The naval drills will focus on enhancing counter-terrorism capabilities, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief capabilities; as well as conducting humanitarian and civic assistance projects.

This is the second naval training of this scale to be held in the country. /je