The Philippine Marines and the US Marine Corps will lead diverse contingents, including participants from the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea, in the annual military exercises known as 'Kamandag' or 'Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat' from May 26 to June 6. This yearly undertaking, which commenced in 2016, is designed to strengthen multinational military readiness, interoperability, and regional defense capabilities.

According to the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) will be deployed from Darwin, Australia for these exercises.

Colonel Jason Armas, the commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF, stated that Kamandag 9 symbolizes the robust US-Philippine alliance and their commitment to ensuring regional security and readiness.

Col. Armas emphasized that the training is essential for fostering trust and collaboration among the forces, preparing them to respond effectively to crises.

The Kamandag exercises will officially commence at the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, located in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Training will take place primarily in Luzon, particularly in the regions of Batanes and Palawan, as well as in Tawi Tawi.

This year's exercises reflect an enlarged focus and participation, underscoring the global significance of maritime security and the importance of building multinational awareness for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, as noted by the organizers.

Major General Arturo Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, stated that the exercises epitomize the lasting partnership between the Philippine and US Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing their capabilities for defending the archipelago.

The training will include a variety of maneuvers such as maritime key terrain security operations, defensive counter-landing, live-fire drills, littoral maneuver, amphibious operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training.

In a related development, the Northern Luzon Naval Command conducted a flag-raising ceremony at the Talampas ng Pilipinas, previously recognized as the Philippine Rise, commemorating its renaming in 2017. During the ceremony, two FA-50 fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force performed a fly-by.

Furthermore, the US Coast Guard cutter Stratton finished a four-day port visit to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Captain Brian Krautler, commanding officer of the Stratton, hosted US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan aboard the vessel for a tour.

Ambassador Carlson remarked on the significance of the USCGC Stratton's arrival as a symbol of pride and potential, noting that this marks the sixth exchange between the US Coast Guard and the PCG since 2019, reinforcing the partnership between the two nations.

In another diplomatic development, the Philippines and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.

Mongolia voiced support for the Philippines' approach toward peacefully resolving disputes.

Following discussions, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh highlighted shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights between their nations.