The annual Kamandag military exercises between the Philippines and the US have begun.
And for the first time Japan and South Korea are participating.
Paige Javier reports.
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And for the first time Japan and South Korea are participating.
Paige Javier reports.
Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/
Follow our social media pages:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/
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NewsTranscript
00:00 "I hereby declare Kamandag 07-23 open, effective this day."
00:10 The Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat or Kamandag military exercises officially
00:16 commences on Thursday.
00:18 Kamandag is the annual exercise between the Philippine and United States Marine Corps
00:22 that started in 2016.
00:25 Activities will focus on special operations, coastal defense training, humanitarian assistance
00:31 and disaster response.
00:32 "We believe that these activities are very important as we continue to optimize our systems
00:39 and procedures in war fighting."
00:41 "This exercise contributes to regional stability and security, fostering a more secure environment
00:48 for all nations involved."
00:51 In the seventh iteration, nearly 3,000 troops will participate, mostly from the Philippines
00:57 and the U.S.
00:58 After being observers last year, Japan and South Korea will join for the first time.
01:04 The United Kingdom, meanwhile, will be an observer.
01:07 "Together we send a powerful message to the world, especially to those who may seek to
01:14 disrupt the peace, that our partnership is unbreakable."
01:20 "Our resolve and yielding and our commitment to defending our nations is always unwavering."
01:32 "Let us all send a message to the world that we, like-minded nations, nations who respect
01:41 international law and a rules-based international order, come together to collaborate, cooperate
01:51 and train to protect common interests."
01:56 Kamandag comes on the heels of tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
02:00 But the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps say the exercises are not connected to recent
02:05 events.
02:06 "Since it is not designed to provoke a certain country, then we are not expecting any negative
02:15 reaction to this exercise."
02:17 "This particular exercise is planned to enhance the interoperability among the participating
02:25 forces."
02:26 Even the timing of the exercise should not be suspect, since the schedule is always in
02:31 October or November, when calamities usually strike in the country.
02:35 While there's no plan yet to bring Kamandag outside the country, they continue to send
02:40 Marines abroad to gain knowledge.
02:43 The exercises have been expanded from north to south, from Batanes in Luzon until Palawan,
02:49 Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi.
02:51 Kamandag 0723 will run until November 20.
02:55 Paige Javier, CNN Philippines.