The 10th iteration of the Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat, or KAMANDAG, formally concluded on July 1 at Acero Hall, Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The Philippine Marine Corps hosted the multinational exercise with participating forces from the United States Marine Corps, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Thailand also joined as observers.
This year’s KAMANDAG focused on coastal defense, island seizure, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, spoke-node operations and contested logistics. The activities were held in training areas in Northern and Central Luzon, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi and Cavite.
Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Vicente MAP Blanco III, who served as guest of honor and speaker during the closing ceremony, commended all participating forces for their commitment throughout the exercise.
Blanco said KAMANDAG 10-2026 marked another important chapter in the Marine Corps’ history and in the country’s defense partnerships aimed at supporting regional peace and stability.
He said the exercise has grown from a concept into one of the Indo-Pacific’s major multinational military training activities.
“Lessons shape doctrine, sharpen leaders, and build readiness, not just for the next exercise, but for the responsibilities history may bring,” Blanco said.
“Flags differ but purpose is one; bonds here become a lasting foundation for generations. History remembers those who stood together. The exercise ends, but commitment, mission, partnership, and resolve do not. Peace is preserved by nations willing to stand, train, and prevail together,” he added.
Representing the United States Marine Corps, Col. Robert S. Bunn, commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Marine Corps beyond the exercise.
“While today’s ceremony marks the end of this iteration, our partnership continues. As I Marine Expeditionary Force’s forward presence in the Philippines, Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia will remain here, working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Marine Corps to strengthen interoperability, enhance readiness, and continue building one of our nation’s most historical alliances,” Bunn said.
Brig. Gen. Bob R. Apostol, exercise director, also thanked the participating forces, observers and supporting units for contributing to the success of KAMANDAG 10-2026.
Apostol said the realistic and complex training activities helped improve combined operational capabilities while strengthening trust and cooperation among allied and partner forces.
KAMANDAG remains one of the Philippine Marine Corps’ flagship multinational training exercises, aimed at improving operational readiness and reinforcing defense cooperation with partner nations.