The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marines have officially kicked off this year’s Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat or KAMANDAG Exercise.
Featured in the ninth edition of the joint training is the deployment of the United States' NMESIS anti-ship missile system, which remains stationed in Northern Luzon.
The same weapon that drew objections from China was earlier brought in for the Balikatan exercises and was featured by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his official visit.
PMC Commandant MGen Arturo Rojas announced that around 5,000 soldiers will be participating in the joint military drills, scheduled to run through June 6.
Apart from the main allied forces, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, the South Korean Marine Corps, and the British Armed Forces will join this year’s KAMANDAG exercises.
Military observers from France, Australia, Bahrain, the Netherlands, Canada, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Thailand will also be present.
The 2025 KAMANDAG exercises will center on strengthening maritime and coastal defense capabilities to uphold peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
