The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) formally opened the 2025 Joint Field Training Exercise (JFTX) “Siklab-Laya” on 12 April at Naval Station Emilio Liwanag on Pag-asa Island — marking a historic milestone in the Academy’s training legacy and its enduring commitment to national defense.

The exercise serves as the culmination of a series of military training programs for the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP), evaluating both individual and organizational competencies of cadets from Fourth to First Class. This year’s JFTX is particularly significant as it aligns with the country’s strategic transition to External Defense Operations (EDO) and the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

Spanning two weeks, the training exercise is divided into land and sea phases, featuring joint military simulations such as naval maneuvers, air and sea combat drills, and ground wargaming. First and Second Class cadets are assessed based on leadership and operational planning within their chosen service branch — Army, Air Force, or Navy — while lower class cadets are evaluated on their foundational military skills.

The choice of Pag-asa Island as this year’s venue is a landmark decision. It strengthens the Academy’s resolve to expose future military officers to the complexities of territorial defense and national sovereignty, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

In addition to military exercises, cadets participated in civic initiatives, including coastal clean-up drives, sports equipment donations, and youth engagement programs with the local residents of Pag-asa Island, reflecting the Academy’s core value of service to the people.

Brigadier General Flores, PA, Commandant of Cadets, officially opened the training, emphasizing the importance of inter-service collaboration and character development in shaping capable, principled military leaders.

JFTX “Siklab-Laya” 2025 is scheduled to conclude on 25 April after a comprehensive series of simulations and community engagement activities.