Philippines, US open Kamandag military exercises amid pandemic

The Philippine and the United States (US) on Tuesday commenced the bilateral military exercises dubbed as Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat or Kamandag.

Last year, the military exercises between the US Marine Corps and Philippine Marine Corps were cancelled due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippine Marine Commandant Major General Ariel Caculitan said this year’s Kamandag will have limited participants and activities and will strictly adhere to public health standards.

“We have to tone down this kind of exercise because of the pandemic and we are trying to avoid assembly of so much number of military personnel,” he said.

“However it is not just about conducting live fire exercises. We can share knowledge and expertise through lectures that are conducted virtually,” he added.

Caculitan noted that Kamandag will still pursue a simulated landing exercise in Zambales, which is set on Friday.

The participants include 242 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 12 from the US Armed Forces, and 25 from Japan Ground Self Defense Force.—Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News