Manila: Elite troops of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and their counterparts from the United States, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Australia will participate in this year's "KAMANDAG 08-24" exercises on Oct. 15-25. In an advisory on Friday, the PMC said it would join the US Marine Corps (USMC) as primary participants in the drills, which stands for "Kaagapay ng Mga Mandirigma ng Dagat." They will be joined by forces from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, United Kingdom Royal Marine Commandos, and Australian Defense Force. Some 2,351 personnel are taking part in the exercise, it added. The Philippines will be deploying 150 personnel coming from the PMC, Marine reservists, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard. Meanwhile, the USMC will be deploying 1,072 personnel; South Korea, 58; Japan, 54; United Kingdom, eight; Australia, five; France, two; Thailand, one; and Indonesia, one. The "KAMANDAG" drills are part of this year's activitie s set by the Mutual Defense Board - Security Exchange Board, composed of Philippine and US security officials. "The main exercise venues will be conducted across various training areas within the Northern Luzon Command, Western Command Joint Operational Areas, as well as in Manila and Cavite," the PMC added. It has yet to determine the exact number of participating troops to date. "KAMANDAG" activities include combined arms littoral live-fire in Burgos, Ilocos Norte; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief demonstration, also in Burgos; amphibious assault, raid, and counter-landing exercises in Aborlan and Rizal, Palawan; and a senior enlisted leaders symposium in Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Source: Philippines News Agency