AMERICAN and Filipino forces have launched a coastal defense exercise in Palawan, facing the tension-filled West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea.
The exercise, “Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum (ACDC) 25.3,” opened last Monday at the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
“Over the next three weeks, participants will engage in a range of joint activities — from subject matter exchanges to a culminating simulated island seizure operation — which are expected to sharpen tactical skills, refine joint procedures, and foster stronger professional bonds,” the brigade said in its Facebook page on Wednesday.
It said a series of “integrated training activities” will be conducted under the ACDC 25.3 which will run until July 15. The activities aim to “enhance maritime security strategies and improve operational coordination among participating units.”
“ACDC 25.3 underscores the brigade’s commitment to building a resilient and adaptive coastal defense posture in support of national security objectives,” it said.
The brigade quoted its commander, Brig. Gen. Antonio Mangoroban Jr, as saying the exercise “not only enhances interoperability and readiness through training, but also deepens mutual respect and camaraderie built on shared experiences” from past military exercises, including Balikatan and Kamandag.
“The Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum serves as a critical platform for knowledge-sharing, joint planning, and mission-focused training that will empower participants to conduct more effective and unified operations throughout the Western Command’s area of responsibility,” it said.
The US Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, which is involved in the exercise, said the training activities are “designed to enhance interoperability, coastal defense capabilities, and readiness in archipelagic environments.”
It said these activities include live-fire marksmanship, patrolling operations, jungle survival skills, and small unmanned aerial system subject matter expert exchanges.
“The exercise will culminate in a coordinated airfield seizure event at Roxas Airfield, Palawan, showcasing interchangeability of forces,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
It described the exercise as a “critical element of ongoing bilateral exchanges aimed at bolstering the Armed Forces of the Philippines Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept and supporting AFP modernization efforts.”
“These combined exercises emphasize the sharing of expertise and foster close cooperation to advance regional security and maritime stability,” it said.
Mangoroban said the exercise “directly contributes to our operational readiness and strengthens our coastal defense strategy.”
An American company commander, Capt. Mark Chase, said they are looking forward to sharing tactics and building interoperability with their Filipino counterparts.
“This partnership enables both our forces to effectively train, adapt, and respond together in the unique operational environment presented by the Philippine archipelago,” said Chase.
China has become aggressive in its claims in the West Philippine Sea under its excessive 10-dash-line claim which the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated in 2012.
The Chinese have subjected Philippine government vessels and even Filipino fishing boats ramming, water cannoning, ramming and other forms of harassment in the past years.
