Phl, U.S. Marines hold Kamandag drills

Following the conclusion of the Balikatan Exercises, the marine corps of the Philippines and the United States will conduct this year’s Kaagapay ng Mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat (KAMANDAG) from 26 May to 6 June.

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the US Marine Corps aim to strengthen multinational military readiness, enhance interoperability, and bolster regional defense capabilities.

Key activities planned for the marine training include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) exercises scheduled from 27 May to 5 June at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Maritime and special operations force activities will take place from 27 May to 4 June at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio, Zambales, and the BTPI Firing Range in Morong, Bataan.

A live-fire integration exercise is set for 29 May at Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac, along with a maritime strike operation in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, on the same day.

Participants will also conduct a counter-landing and defensive retrograde operation on 29 May at Camp Bojeador in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and Paredes Air Station in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Special operations forces will conduct strike exercises from 30 May to 5 June at Culili Point in the Paoay Sand Dunes and Laoag International Airport, both in Ilocos Norte.

Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills are scheduled from 2 to 4 June at Berung Airfield in Quezon, Palawan.

As of late Monday afternoon, the Philippine Marine Corps had not yet disclosed the number of participating troops and assets.