Thousands of United States and Filipino marines have launched joint exercises in the northern and western Philippines as part of the annual Kamandag, or Venom, exercises. These drills focus on defending the north coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon, which lies approximately 800km from self-ruled Taiwan. This comes a day after China conducted large-scale drills around Taiwan, showing its commitment to using force to claim the island, which it considers part of its territory.
The joint US-Filipino exercises are occurring against the backdrop of escalating tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed waters in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire region and has been involved in confrontations with its neighbors, including the Philippines, over territorial disputes. The Kamandag exercises are not in response to any specific incidents but were long planned and are part of the ongoing military cooperation between the US and the Philippines.
During the opening ceremony in Manila, Philippine Marine Corps commandant Major-General Arturo Rojas emphasized that the drills were not in reaction to regional events. The primary focus of the exercises will be live-fire activities along Luzon’s north coast, with additional activities planned on small Philippine islands located between Luzon and Taiwan. The purpose of these exercises is to enhance the ability to defend against potential aggressors and to respond to any crisis or contingencies that may arise.
Filipino exercise director Brigadier-General Vicente Blanco highlighted that the drills are based on a coastal defense doctrine that prepares for potential threats to Philippine territory. While the exercises are taking place near Taiwan, the focus is on strengthening defensive capabilities and not on getting involved in any issues related specifically to Taiwan. US Marines representative Colonel Stuart Glenn echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the drills are about readiness and preparedness to address various security situations that could arise in the region.
In addition to the activities along Luzon’s north coast, part of the exercises will take place on the western Philippine island of Palawan, which faces the disputed South China Sea. This region has been a hotbed of tensions due to conflicting territorial claims, with the Philippines and China among the claimants. The presence of US and Filipino forces in this area underscores the importance of maintaining security and stability in the region, given the strategic significance of the South China Sea for maritime trade and regional security.
Overall, the Kamandag joint exercises between the United States and the Philippines demonstrate the commitment of both countries to enhancing their military cooperation and readiness to address security challenges. While the drills coincide with events like China’s exercises around Taiwan and tensions in the South China Sea, they are part of longstanding defense agreements and are focused on improving defensive capabilities in the face of potential threats. By conducting these exercises, the US and the Philippines aim to strengthen their alliance and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
