THE Philippine Marine Corps and its counterpart from the United States will begin today their almost two weeks of military exercise in selected areas in Luzon under the watchful eye of China, whose navy vessels are loitering within Scarborough Shoal near Zambales.
Bilateral military exercises involving Filipino and American troops have been the objects of monitoring by China’s military recently, with the last US-Philippines war games held in Palawan being closely followed by a Chinese ship.
During the search and rescue exercises held several weeks ago in the waters of Bataan and which involved the Philippine and US Coast Guards for the first time, a Chinese ship also monitored the training activity.
The interoperability training “Kamandag,” which will shift to Luzon immediately after it will be opened at the Philippine Marine Corps’ headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, will have Marine forces from the US and Phillipines jointly sharpening their combat skills.
What is unique in this year’s 6th iteration of the Kamandag is that it will be joined for the first time by the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
The United States Armed Forces and its 31st and 11th Marine Expeditionary Units will join the training in full force, with the USS Tripoli and its air wing making being present.
While all forces are expected to learn in the exercises, especially in the areas of interoperability and combined operations, the Philippines Marines will benefit from its partners as they are advanced in terms of amphibious operations, special operations and territorial defensr capabilities.