AFP holds simulated island defense drills in West Philippine Sea

PREPAREDNESS Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (third from right) on Monday leads the opening ceremony for the AFP Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa that will involve 3,000 active and reserve forces and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and other government agencies. —LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines —  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted its annual joint exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa (AJEX DAGIT-PA) at Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday (November 6).

“During the drills, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) approached Kota Island, while its rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) carrying the participating personnel approached the island’s beach,” the AFP said in a statement on Thursday.

“The personnel carried out a mechanized assault to reclaim the island, while the Philippine Air Force’s NC212i later provided logistical support by dropping essential supplies, including food and equipment, to the troops securing the island,” it added.

READ: AFP Joint Exercise DAGIT-PA kicks off

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the exercise focuses on external defense capabilities.

For this year, Brawner explained that AJEX DAGIT-PA “will adopt an operationally focused framework enabling them to simulate their territorial defense, alongside a comprehensive archipelagic defense concept.”

Brawner said almost all members of the AFP will be involved in this new campaign focusing on territorial defense.

READ: AFP branch services lead drills facing West Philippine Sea, Taiwan

The exercise is already on its 8th iteration this year. It includes a command post, field training, and cyber warfare exercise, and will introduce the information warfighter exercise.