The joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States have commenced in the northern and western parts of the Philippines. These exercises, known as Kamandag or Venom, are specifically focused on defending the north coast of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines. This area is located approximately 800 kilometers away from Taiwan, which China considers as part of its territory.
The drills come shortly after China conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, with Beijing emphasizing that it will not hesitate to use force to assert its claim over the island. The ongoing tensions in the region have led to escalating confrontations between China and the Philippines, particularly over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea.
During the opening ceremony in Manila, Philippine Marine Corps commandant Major-General Arturo Rojas clarified that the Kamandag exercises were planned well in advance and are not a response to the current regional tensions. The primary focus of the drills will involve live-fire exercises along the north coast of Luzon, with additional activities planned on smaller Philippine islands between Luzon and Taiwan.
The purpose of these joint exercises, according to Filipino exercise director Brigadier-General Vicente Blanco, is to demonstrate coastal defense capabilities and deter potential aggressors from encroaching on Philippine territory. The exercises are not intended to be a part of any conflict over Taiwan, as emphasized by US Marines representative Colonel Stuart Glenn.
In addition to the primary drills along Luzon’s coast, part of the exercises will also take place on Palawan, an island in the western Philippines facing the disputed South China Sea. The participating forces include over a thousand troops from both the US and the Philippines, as well as smaller contingents from Australia, Britain, Japan, and South Korea.
The activities planned for the drills include an amphibious landing and training on defense against chemical and biological warfare. As the exercises began, the Philippine government reported a minor collision between one of its patrol vessels and a “Chinese Maritime Militia” vessel near Thitu, an island in the Spratly group. The crew members were unharmed, and the vessel completed its patrol mission as scheduled.
These joint military exercises serve to enhance cooperation and readiness among allied forces in responding to potential crises or contingencies in the region. As tensions persist in the South China Sea, the exercises demonstrate the commitment of the Philippines and the United States, along with their allies, to maintaining stability and security in the region.
