In a highly coordinated display of military strength, US and Filipino marines conducted live-fire drills aimed at repelling a simulated amphibious invasion by a hypothetical adversary, widely seen as a veiled reference to China. The exercise, which took place in the coastal town of Aborlan, Palawan, just 150 miles from a recent maritime clash between the Chinese and Philippine coast guards, highlights the intensifying security cooperation between the two nations amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.
This drill is part of the Kamandag 08-24 exercise, an annual joint military program between the US and the Philippines designed to bolster defense capabilities and military interoperability. The ongoing exercise underscores the strategic partnership between the two nations and the increasing role of international allies in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The significance of the live-fire drill’s location is unmistakable. Conducted just 125 miles east of Sabina Shoal, a highly contested area in the South China Sea, the drills took place near the heart of the maritime disputes that have inflamed tensions between Manila and Beijing. Sabina Shoal has been the site of numerous standoffs between the Philippine and Chinese navies, with one of the most serious incidents occurring in August 2024, when vessels from the two nations collided, nearly igniting a broader conflict.
Given the proximity of the drills to these volatile waters, the message to China was clear. The Philippines, backed by the military might of the United States, will not yield in the face of aggression over disputed territory. This stance is especially critical as the South China Sea, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, continues to be a flashpoint for conflict over territorial claims and resource rights.
Kamandag, which translates to “venom” in Filipino, is a joint training exercise that has become a crucial element of the Philippines-US security relationship. This year’s iteration of the exercise, Kamandag 08-24, featured 150 US Marines from the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, based in Camp Pendleton, California, and 150 Filipino marines from the Palawan-based 3rd Marine Brigade. The exercise not only focused on traditional combat training but also included humanitarian and disaster-response components, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the partnership.
The drills conducted on October 22 involved highly realistic scenarios, with both nations’ forces simulating defensive measures against an amphibious landing. Marines from both the US and the Philippines established camouflaged fighting positions along the coastal dunes of Aborlan, preparing for an impending invasion force.
This exercise saw the integration of advanced air support, with two US F-35 fighter jets, two AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters, and two UH-1 Venom helicopters playing pivotal roles. These aircraft launched laser-guided missiles to neutralize simulated enemy targets at sea, demonstrating the seamless coordination between air and ground forces.
Additionally, the forces deployed Javelin and Stingray missiles, along with 105 mm Howitzer cannons, while light machine guns were employed to suppress enemy advances. The firepower on display not only showcased the capabilities of the US and Filipino forces but also sent a message of deterrence to any adversary contemplating hostile actions in the region.
The presence of US attack helicopters, launched from Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s westernmost city, was a direct result of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the US and the Philippines. Under this agreement, US forces are granted access to a number of military facilities across the Philippines, including Antonio Bautista Air Base, which serves as a strategic outpost for operations in the South China Sea.
In line with modern US military strategy, the marines set up an expeditionary advanced base at the airfield before the exercise. This tactic is designed to block adversary movements or resupply friendly forces from remote locations, particularly in areas like the Pacific, where access to critical resources and facilities can be limited in times of conflict.
Colonel Sean Dynan, Commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), emphasized the mutual learning and respect that defined the collaboration between the two forces. “The systems, the firing holes that the marines dug—we learned that from the Filipinos. Your marines know how to fight in this terrain, how to best camouflage in this terrain to conceal your position,” said Dynan, acknowledging the expertise of the Filipino marines in jungle and coastal warfare.
He added, “For us, it’s our understanding of how to best employ the weapon system safely and set the safety stops associated with lateral limits on how we control fires. I think the mutual trust and respect allow us to operate together and improve.”
Kamandag 08-24 has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of not only US and Filipino forces but also military personnel from Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Australia. These nations, either as participants or observers, are playing an increasingly active role in security arrangements aimed at countering Chinese influence in the region.
Japan’s participation is particularly notable, as it reflects Tokyo’s growing concern over regional security and its efforts to become more involved in multilateral defense activities. Japan has long been a vocal critic of China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, and its involvement in Kamandag underscores its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, Australia, the UK, Indonesia, and Thailand sent observers to the exercise, signaling a broader coalition of nations aligned with the US and the Philippines in ensuring the stability of the South China Sea. These developments suggest that future iterations of Kamandag could see an even larger and more diversified coalition of international forces.
Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas noted the expanding scope of Kamandag, saying, “As you can see, Kamandag 08-24 is bigger in terms of coverage. Aside from the US Marine Corps, we now have delegations from Japan, and we have observers from the UK, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia.”
This growing collaboration reflects the shared interests of these nations in upholding international law and preventing any single power from dominating the South China Sea. With over 1,000 troops participating in the exercise, Kamandag 08-24 represents a significant step forward in international military cooperation.
The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most contested regions, with China asserting sweeping territorial claims through its “Nine-Dash Line”, which overlaps with the territorial waters of several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. The strategic and economic importance of the region cannot be overstated, as it hosts critical shipping lanes through which nearly a third of global trade passes, and is believed to be rich in oil, natural gas, and fishery resources.
China’s aggressive actions in the region, including the militarization of artificial islands and the harassment of foreign vessels, have drawn widespread condemnation. The August 2024 incident between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards near Sabina Shoal was a stark reminder of the precarious nature of the region’s security.
With China continuing to assert its dominance, joint exercises like Kamandag take on even greater significance. By enhancing the military capabilities of the Philippines and strengthening its alliances with global powers, these drills serve as a deterrent to further Chinese expansionism.
