The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps are set to participate in this year’s iteration of the annual “Kamandag” exercises, scheduled from May 26 to June 6. The drills aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation and improve interoperability between the two forces.
First launched in 2016, “Kamandag”—short for Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma mula sa Dagat—is a yearly joint military exercise designed to enhance multinational readiness and regional defense capabilities.
According to an advisory from the PMC, the opening ceremony will be held on May 26 at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, which will also host the closing ceremony on June 6.
As of this writing, no specific details have been released regarding the number of participating troops or military assets.
Key activities scheduled for this year’s exercise include:
CBRNE Training (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive): May 27 to June 5 at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio.
Maritime and Special Operations Training: May 27 to June 4 at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio, Zambales, and BTPI Firing Range in Morong, Bataan.
Live-Fire Integration Exercises: May 29 at Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac.
Maritime Strike Exercise: May 29 in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
Counter-Landing/Defensive Retrograde Operations: May 29 at Camp Bojeador in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and Paredes Air Station in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
Special Operations Strike Exercises: May 30 to June 5 at Culili Point, Paoay Sand Dunes, and Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Drills: June 2 to 4 at Berung Airfield in Quezon, Palaw