MANILA — Marine troops from the US, Philippines and Japan will be participating in this year’s “Kaagapay ng Mandirigma ng Dagat” (KAMANDAG) Exercises in various location in the country from Oct. 1 to 10.
Capt. Jerber Anthony Belonio, Philippine Marine Corps spokesperson, said around 1,000 US, 350 Filipinos and 100 Japanese Marine troops will be taking part in the exercises.
He said “KAMANDAG” activities include the following: opening ceremonies at the Subic International Airport in Olongapo City, Zambales; boat raid in Ternate, Cavite; amphibious landing exercise at the Naval Education and Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales; and closing-out event in PMC headquarters at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Scenarios for this year’s “KAMANDAG” exercises include counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Belonio added that the Japanese contingent will act as observers in the various exercises involving Philippine and US Marine troops.
“Well ang terrorism kasi, it’s a global problem so syempre lahat naman tayo (all of us), lahat ng (all) countries may kanya kanya tayong (we all have our own) problem when it comes to terrorism well it speaks a global language, so yan yung isang aspect na pwede natin, kumbaga common sa lahat ng mga country na involved sa exercise, so kumbaga (that is one aspect we all have in common, as far as the countries involved in the exercises are concerned) its a common ground,” Belonio said when asked on the inclusion of counter-terrorism scenario for the maneuvers. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
