October 18, 2024
MANILA – The Philippines and the United States held an amphibious assault exercise in Aborlan, Palawan near the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said that its 3rd Marine Brigade and Combat Support Brigade, along with USMC’s Battalion Landing Team 1/5 and others, conducted the exercise at Long Point in Barangay Apurawan.
PMC explained that the exercise is part of the activities for the eighth iteration of Kaagapay ng Mandirigma sa Dagat (Kamandag 08-24) being annually conducted by PMC and USMC.
Other countries participating in this iteration include Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the UK, while the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Kor Marinir will be observing the event.
The exercise aims “to strengthen the interoperability of the Philippines and United States’ Armed Forces while promoting regional security and cooperation.”
“It also serves as a platform for cooperation amongst like-minded countries in order to enhance and promote a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region,” the PMC said.