New activities planned for Philippines-US 'Kamandag' drills

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine and US forces will perform new activities together for the third annual "Kamandag" exercise next week.

Kamandag stands for "Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat" or "Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea," which highlights the partnership between the two allies.

According to the US Embassy, a joint assault amphibious vehicle training will be new for this year's drills.

For the first time, the Kamandag exercise will also include low-altitude air defense training and threat reaction training between the participants.

The joint military exercise will run from October 9 to 18 at various sites in Luzon, including Palawan. The exercises seek to promote multinational military interoperability, readiness and capabilities.

"Together, these activities represent an increase in military capability and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and demonstrate the ability to forward deploy forces in the event of a crisis or natural disaster," the US Embassy said in a release.

Aside from the trainings, the exercise will also include cooperative health engagements, civil affairs internations and community relations events.

In these activities, the participants will exchange information on hygiene skills, life support, first response, safety protocols, religious ministry, primary education and athletic events.

"Humanitarian and civic assistance activities enable our service members to foster improved military to military ties and provide support to local communities," the statement read.

The Kamandag exercise seeks to strengthen partnerships and to increase counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities through military exchanges, the US Embassy said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

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