The HMCS Montreal (FFH336) (left), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) (front), USS Lake Erie (CG70) (rear) and BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) (right) during the AUS-CAN-PH-US Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity being held in the West Philippine Sea from August 7 to 8. Handout/Royal Canadian Navy

The HMCS Montreal (FFH336) (left), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) (front), USS Lake Erie (CG70) (rear) and BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) (right) during the AUS-CAN-PH-US Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity being held in the West Philippine Sea from August 7 to 8.

Photo: Royal Canadian Navy

WEST PH SEA

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173088344972520240807-MCA-west-ph-sea-827.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The HMCS Montreal (FFH336) (left), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) (front), USS Lake Erie (CG70) (rear) and BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) (right) during the AUS-CAN-PH-US Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity being held in the West Philippine Sea from August 7 to 8. Handout/Royal Canadian Navy"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The HMCS Montreal (FFH336) (left), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) (front), USS Lake Erie (CG70) (rear) and BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) (right) during the AUS-CAN-PH-US Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity being held in the West Philippine Sea from August 7 to 8. <em>Handout/Royal Canadian Navy</em></span></span></span>MANILA -- For the first time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted drills in the Philippine-occupied Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea.</div><p>The drills, which involved the retaking of the island which was seized by enemy forces, is part of the AFP’s Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa or AJEX DAGIT-PA.</p><p>This year’s exercise focuses on beefing up external defense capabilities.</p><p>From the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, troops from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, and Special Operations Group onboard rigid hull inflatable boats conducted mechanized assault to defeat enemy forces and retake Kota.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/6/philippines-says-joint-maritime-exercises-rein-in-china-1359">READ: Philippines says joint maritime exercises rein in China</a></div><p>“Ang ginawa natin ngayon is the exercise of island seizure. Kasama na rin dito ang island defense,” Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. told reporters in an interview onboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz.</p><p>“Sa lahat ng mga exercise natin, defensive. Hindi ‘yung tayo ang umaatake. These are defensive exercises that we are doing. The assumption is that ang sarili nating isla ay gusto nating bawiin,” he continued.</p><p>AJEX DAGIT-PA executive agent Brigadier General Michael Logico added: “The first one is the insertion of reconnaissance on the beach operations, followed by the amphibious assault.”</p><p>The multipurpose naval helicopter Agusta Westland 109 also circled the island.</p><p>In the end, the Philippine Air Force conducted a bundle drop.</p><p>With the use of a parachute, the PAF dropped supplies to troops who have successfully reclaimed Kota from the enemies.</p><p>“Kanina, nakita natin gaano kaepektibo ‘yung interoperability ng ating PAF, PN and special operations forces,” Brawner noted.</p><p>“It is very crucial for us to enhance our capability here in the WPS. That is for us to show our firm resolve of defending our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” AFP Western Command commander Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., for his part, said.</p><p>While the AFP conducted the drills, two People’s Liberation Army Navy ships with bow numbers 626 and 629, and four Chinese research vessels were seen in the vicinity.</p><p>Brawner said they already anticipated the presence of Chinese ships, but added that these did not disrupt the drills.</p><p>“Habang ginagawa natin ang exercise natin, ang ating mga kapitbahay ay nagpadala ng mga barko. We are expecting it already dahil nga pinapanood nila kung ano ang mga ginawa natin… But we welcome that. It adds realism to the exercise,” the military chief said.</p><p>He went on, “Wala naman, hindi naman sila nakialam. Nagmamasid lang sila. Nanonood sila, so wala namang interruption ang ating exercise.“</p><p>Brawner also said that the exercise serves as a warning to external forces, emphasizing that the AFP is ready and capable of defending our islands “unilaterally.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/10/8/ph-us-kick-off-multilateral-sama-sama-maritime-exercises-in-subic-1105">READ: PH, US kick off multilateral &#x27;Sama Sama&#x27; maritime exercises in Subic</a></div><p>“Unilaterally—meaning tayo lang muna… Sakaling mayroong mangyari o pumasok na external forces dito sa ating territory or sovereign areas, kailangan tayo muna ang dumepensa ng ating bansa before we ask help from other countries, like our allies or partners,” Brawner explained.</p><p>Meanwhile, construction of the hangar and control tower on Pagasa Island is nearing completion.</p><p>According to Vice Admiral Torres, these are much needed facilities for PAF assets arriving on the island.</p><p>“‘It is already 90% completed, so we are looking at this year for the completion of the facility in Pagasa,” Torres said.</p><p>“Control tower under the purview of the PAF. Magiging opisina na iyon ng TOG Pagasa and that will facilitate all the air operations in the Kalayaan Island Group,” he added.</p><p>The facilities are part of the AFP Modernization Program.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zv4tS_-401k?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>For the first time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted drills in the Philippine-occupied Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea.</p>

For the first time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted drills in the Philippine-occupied Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP conducts island seizure exercise in West PH Sea | ABS-CBN

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AFP conducts island seizure exercise in West PH Sea

AFP conducts island seizure exercise in West PH Sea

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 06, 2024 04:58 PM PHT

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Updated Nov 06, 2024 08:38 PM PHT

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island seizure

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