The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Singapore Armed Force’s Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC) conducted a two-day tabletop exercise in Camp Aguinaldo.
AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said that the exercise will strengthen coordination and enhance interoperability during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations between the AFP, RHCC, and other participating agencies.
The activity also enhances the relationship between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), improves joint humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations, and highlights the OPERA v2 Computer Information System capabilities designed for better information sharing.
Participants engaged in academic sessions and a simulated scenario involving a magnitude 7.2 earthquake affecting Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Metro Manila.
“This exercise met our objectives and expectations. It also helped us build stronger ties with our counterparts in the region and enhance our capacity to respond to humanitarian crises,” said Commander Gary Hilario, Chief of the Joint and Combined Training Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training, and Doctrine, OJ8.
The exercise explored different disaster management approaches and identified gaps for improvement, eventually leading to better coordination among military and civilian agencies in disaster response efforts.
