PH, Australia hold joint military drills

From the Manila Times (May 16, 2023): PH, Australia hold joint military drills (By Franco Jose C. Baroña)

IT is Australia's turn to hold joint military maneuvers with the Philippines.

The bilateral exercise between the Philippine Army and the Australian Defense Force, named Exercise Kasangga, kicked off at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, on Monday.

Last month, the Philippines and United States conducted the biggest Balikatan exercise so far.

This time, around 200 troops from the Philippines and 50 from Australia will take part in the monthlong exercise.

Kasangga will focus on urban operations, combat tracking, jungle warfare and survival training, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

The opening ceremony was led by Army Assistant Division Commander Brig. Gen. Augusto Villareal of the 2nd Infantry Division and Australian Defense Attaché to the Philippines Col. Paul Joseph Barta.

The first Kasangga exercise was conducted in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, from April 11 to June 27, 2022.

The Philippines and Australia have robust military ties.

In 1995, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperative defense activities laying the foundation for the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee.

A Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (Sovfa) entered into force in September 2012, providing the comprehensive legal and operational framework for defense cooperation. The Sovfa was instrumental during the aftermath of Typhoon "Yolanda" in 2013, when Australia provided rapid medical assistance, humanitarian and reconstruction support involving over 500 service personnel, numerous aircraft and the Landing Ship Heavy HMAS Tobruk.

In 2015, a comprehensive partnership was signed and new bilateral initiatives developed. In March 2017, there were navy-to-navy strategic level talks co-chaired by the deputy chief of the Royal Australian Navy and the vice commander of the Philippine Navy.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/16/news/national/ph-australia-hold-joint-military-drills/1891703