The Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps began the 10th [1] iteration of the KAMANDAG amphibious exercise on June 15, 2026 [2].
These drills serve as a strategic effort to enhance interoperability and island-defense capabilities among allied forces. As regional security tensions persist, the exercises focus on the ability of multinational forces to coordinate complex amphibious operations across the archipelago.
Known formally as Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat, the exercise runs through July 1, 2026 [3]. The operations involve forces from the Philippines, the United States, South Korea, and Japan [1].
Military activities are being conducted across several strategic locations. Drills have taken place at the coast of Ternate in Cavite province and in Taguig City [3], [4]. Additionally, forces are operating in Batanes province, where Japanese troops are participating in parachute drills near Taiwan [5].
The scope of KAMANDAG 10 emphasizes combined arms maneuvers and the rapid deployment of troops from sea to land. By integrating forces from four different nations, the exercise tests the communication and tactical synchronization required for high-intensity maritime environments [1], [2].
These maneuvers are part of a broader trend of increasing military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The focus on Batanes, a remote province in the northernmost part of the Philippines, highlights the strategic importance of monitoring key maritime corridors and maintaining a presence in areas critical to regional stability [5].
“The exercises focus on the ability of multinational forces to coordinate complex amphibious operations.”
The inclusion of Japan and South Korea in the KAMANDAG exercises marks a shift from bilateral U.S.-Philippine training toward a multilateral security architecture. By conducting drills in Batanes, the allied forces are signaling a commitment to defending the Philippines' northernmost territories, which are geographically close to Taiwan and critical for monitoring naval movements in the region.
