Camarines sur: The Philippine Army (PA) and its Australian counterparts have officially commenced the month-long "Kasangga" 2026-1 exercises in Camarines Sur. This initiative, which began on May 25, aims to bolster interoperability between the two military services.
According to Philippines News Agency, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala announced during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City that the opening ceremony took place at the 9th Infantry Division Grandstand of Camp Elias Angeles in Barangay San Jose, Pili town. The "Kasangga" exercises are designed to enhance command and control capabilities and improve combined arms operations among the participating forces.
Dema-ala further explained that the training activities will cover a wide range of military operations, including intelligence operations, movement and maneuver, fires support, civil-military operations, sustainment, medical operations, jungle warfare, and force protection. A total of 278 Filipino troopers from various battalions and companies will be taking part in the exercises, alongside 86 Australian Army personnel.
For the first time, the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy are participating in "Kasangga," deploying 18 and 22 personnel, respectively. The inaugural "Kasangga" exercise occurred in the Bicol Region in November 2024, setting the foundation for expanded training engagements and strengthening the military partnership between the Philippines and Australia.
Dema-ala highlighted that "Kasangga," meaning 'ally' or 'partner' in Filipino, includes training scenarios that challenge the troops' skills and expertise while enhancing their understanding of each other's tactics and procedures. The regular bilateral training exercise also aligns with the Army's shift to external security operations.
In a related update, Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez emphasized the potential benefits of Japan's Type 88 surface-to-ship missile systems for the country's coastal defense capabilities. These systems were successfully test-fired during the "Balikatan" exercises and could significantly contribute to the Philippine Armed Forces' modernization efforts in response to evolving security challenges.
