Burgos: The Philippine Marines is set to conduct a littoral live-fire exercise off the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte this week, facing the Taiwan Strait. The exercise, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to showcase the artillery firing skills of the soldiers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcell Tabije of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office stated in an interview on Monday that the drill is part of the annual "Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat" (Kamandag) Exercise 09-2025. This exercise, which began on May 26 at the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Taguig City, is a regular event designed to enhance military readiness and coordination.

This year's Kamandag Exercise features expanded multinational participation, including military forces from Japan, South Korea, and the British Armed Forces. Observers from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Indonesia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Thailand are also part of the event, highlighting its international significance and collaborative nature.

In preparation for the exercise, Capt. Jomark Angue, deputy chief of Coast Guard Staff for Maritime Safety Services, has issued a notice advising all mariners to exercise caution when navigating the waters near Bayog in Burgos town. The notice emphasizes the need for widespread dissemination of this information to ensure safety and coordination.

The Kamandag drills, which aim to improve interoperability and strengthen defense ties among participating nations, will conclude on June 6.