Filipino and Australian troops have launched a joint military exercise in Samar to enhance interoperability between the two sides in responding to various security threats.
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said 144 Philippine Army personnel are taking part in the exercise, dubbed Exercise Kasangga, which opened last Monday at the 8th Division Training School (DTS) in Hinabangan, Samar.
The Filipino troops are drawn from the 8th DTS, 63rd Infantry Battalion, 543 Engineer Construction Battalion, 7th Cavalry Company, and the 803rd Community Defense Center.
“(They) are training side by side with 90 Australian Army soldiers,” Dema-ala said in a statement on Wednesday.
The nearly month-long event marks the second iteration of Exercise Kasangga held this year, following the first phase conducted in June in Camarines Sur.
“The second iteration of Exercise Kasangga this year focuses on enhancing interoperability, exchange of operational knowledge, tactical expertise, and best practices across command and control, intelligence, maneuver, fires, sustainment, force protection, and other warfighting functions,” Dema-ala also said.
Maj. Gen. Peter Burgonio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, presided over the opening ceremony of the exercise.
“Through collaborative planning and execution, the regular iterations of Exercise Kasangga enhance the PA (Philippine Army) and Australian Army’s capability to operate effectively in combined operations while improving mission accomplishment,” Dema-ala added.
The Philippines maintains a standing Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia, which provides the legal framework for joint operations and exercises between Filipino and Australian service members.
In addition to Australia, the country has SOVFAs with New Zealand, Canada, and France; a Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States; and a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan.
Last August, the Department of National Defense announced that it has commenced formal negotiations for a SOVFA with the United Kingdom.