Military forces from the Philippines and Australia on Monday kicked off their joint drills in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal as part of “Exercise Kasangga” 2023.
According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” at least 43 members of the Australian Army are set to teach more than 100 troops from the Philippine Army 2nd Infantry Division techniques on urban warfare, counter-terrorism, and closed-quarter battle training.
Also part of the lesson is the long-range markmanship technique.
“Lumalawak kasi ang pag-unawa mo. Lumalawak ang kaisipan mo, halimbawa kahit nasaan ang kalaban mauunahan mo siya,” said Corporal Jessie Zulueta, 21 DRC, 2nd ID.
(Your understanding and your mind broaden. You can now anticipate where your enemies are.)
As part of the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) Defense Agreement, Australia also rallies for the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which China previously denounced.
“These are only trainings that will enhance the capabilities of our armies. So it was mentioned by the commander-in-chief that these are only for defensive posture if our country will be attacked by any threat groups in the future,” Brigadier General Jose Agusto Villareal, Assistant Division Commander of 2nd ID, said.
“The 9th Kasangga or partnership is absolutely appropriate. It is a bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Australia and it is about our interoperability and keeping our region safe,” said Australian Attache Colonel Paul Joseph Barta.
A second batch of Australian troops is set to arrive in the country next month for the continuation of the training in Tanay, the report said.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News
