PH, US militaries strengthen cyber defense capabilities in ‘Balikatan’

 From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 15, 2023): PH, US militaries strengthen cyber defense capabilities in ‘Balikatan’ (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

AT A GLANCE

• The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces have enhanced their cyber defense capabilities as militaries around the world are prompted to develop new techniques to combat emerging threats in the cyberspace.
• Gen. Andres Centino, AFP Chief of Staff, met with the Filipino and American troops who participated in a cyber defense exercise (CYDEX) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, April 14, as part of the ongoing Exercise Balikatan.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces have enhanced their cyber defense capabilities as militaries around the world are prompted to develop new techniques to combat emerging threats in the cyberspace.

(Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)

Gen. Andres Centino, AFP Chief of Staff, met with the Filipino and American troops who participated in a cyber defense exercise (CYDEX) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, April 14, as part of the ongoing Exercise Balikatan.

“The CYDEX aims to grow and build on established capabilities for conducting multilateral defensive cyberspace operations,” Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office, said.

“It also aims to improve primary and intermediate-level defensive cyber capabilities for enhanced deterrence against threats,” he added.

Aside from fighting on land, on air, and at sea, the cyberspace has been adopted by the AFP as its fourth domain of operations.

CYDEX is seen as one way to fortify the AFP’s defenses in this area by providing secured means of communications against potential cyberattacks and hacking.

During his visit, Centino was accompanied by Major Gen. Eric Nicanor, deputy chief of staff for C4ISTAR Systems. C4ISTAR stands for Command and Control, Computer, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) which is a network established by the AFP to combat cyber threats.

Aside from the CYDEX, Centino also went to Casiguran, Aurora to personally witness the ongoing combined joint logistics over-the-shore (CJLOTS) exercise participated in by 600 personnel from AFP and US Armed Forces. He was welcomed by US Navy Capt. Joel Stewart, commander of the CJLOTS, and Commander Mark William Concepcion, commanding officer of BRP Waray (LC288).

The exercise, which kicked off last Tuesday, April 11, aims to demonstrate the US and PH’s ability to transfer mission essential cargoes from sea to shore when fixed port facilities are unavailable, damaged, or denied due to enemy activities or calamities.

Centino then went to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija to inspect the site for field training exercise and humanitarian activities between the AFP and US Armed Forces.

Up until April 28, about 17,600 Filipino and American troops will hone their skills in various areas of operation by training side-by-side in the remaining drills including littoral irregular warfare/jungle field training exercise, maritime law enforcement, ground based air defense (GBAD) subject matter expert exchange (SMEE), combined air assault, amphibious raid, reconnaissance and surveillance training, combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX), coastal defense and engineering SMEE, and combined and joint live fire exercise.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/15/ph-us-militaries-strengthen-cyber-defense-capabilities-in-balikatan