Ched Rick Gatchalian

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), formally opened the Joint AFP, PNP, and PCG Education, Training, and Doctrine Cell (JAPPETDC). Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines

Article (news)

Joint AFP-PNP-PCG exercise highlights ‘strengthened interoperability’ amid security challenges

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764136315564586630088_1237128775116197_8811828899404669526_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), formally opened the Joint AFP, PNP, and PCG Education, Training, and Doctrine Cell (JAPPETDC). <em>Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The country’s security forces showcased strengthened interoperability as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) held their first-ever Interagency Exercise “Pagsasanay Lakas” under the Education, Training and Doctrine Cell.</p><p>The initiative aimed to synchronize operational responses across domains amid an increasingly complex security environment.</p><p>AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized that the joint exercise marks a milestone in institutional collaboration.</p><p>“Today marks an essential first step in a long-term understanding that strengthens not only our interoperability, but also our shared commitment to national security,” Brawner said in his speech during the exercise’s closing ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/4/brawner-in-case-of-war-ph-must-defend-itself-for-30-days-before-ally-partners-step-in-1437">Brawner: In case of war, PH must be ready to defend itself for 30 days before ally, partners step in</a></div><p>“This exercise was conceptualized for a strategic but straightforward purpose: To bring our institutions into a common operational framework where we think together, plan together, and ultimately act together. So, it is in this exercise, we are co-equals, all our institutions. Wala pong lead institution. Here, we train as co-equals,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;COMPLEX&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>“In a security environment that grows more complex by the day, whether in internal security, maritime defense, or multi-domain challenges, no single agency can carry the burden alone… Unity of effort is now our baseline. Interoperability is our standard, and collaboration is our national advantage,” Brawner further noted.</p><p>The first iteration of the exercise focused on a tabletop exercise aimed at aligning doctrines, validating coordination mechanisms, and integrating reserve units.</p><p>“Our C3 [Command, Control and Communications] structures, our ISR mechanisms, our rapid deployment concepts and joint information operations, as well as our doctrines, must converge if we are to respond effectively to crisis, calamity, or conflict. So, this is the first step that we did, and we learned a lot, I&#x27;m sure, from this exercise. We validated our coordinating mechanisms, strengthened our situational awareness, and examined how diplomatic, legal, environmental, and whole-of-government efforts can reinforce operational actions on the ground, in the air, and at sea,” Brawner said.</p><p>He went on, “Importantly, we also explored integrating the AFP, PNP and PCG reserve units. Because ultimately, when we act on certain conflicts or crises, we always involve our reserve force… So, it is important that we also integrate them into exercises such as this.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>EXERCISE PLANNED ‘WAY AHEAD’ OF PROTEST ACTIONS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Although large-scale protest actions are now being conducted nationwide, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training and Doctrine Major General Llewillyn Banaag clarified that the interagency exercise was conceptualized before current events.</p><p>“When we look at security challenges, hindi maaalis na kasama iyan [mass demonstrations], but it is not geared towards that solely. Ang Interagency Exercise, it involves long planning and concept development. It was formulated way ahead, wala pa ang developments ngayon—ang mass demonstrations we are now witnessing. Wala ‘yan sa concentrations namin before,” he explained.</p><p>Banaag added that future iterations will include more national government agencies to ensure a whole-of-nation approach to crises and security challenges.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/1/marcos-jr-hopes-task-force-philippines-will-lower-tensions-in-west-ph-sea-1842">Marcos Jr. hopes &#x27;Task Force Philippines&#x27; will &#x27;lower tensions&#x27; in West PH Sea</a></div><p>The PCG will host the second iteration of the Interagency Exercise “Pagsasanay Lakas” next year.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PCG TO AUGMENT PNP FOR NOVEMBER 30 RALLIES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab said the agency is preparing to augment police efforts in maintaining peace and order, and providing medical and emergency support during the rallies to be conducted on November 30, Sunday.</p><p>Some 500 PCG personnel will be deployed to assist PNP units in key rally areas.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/25/pnp-to-deploy-over-9-000-cops-for-nov-30-trillion-peso-march-1700">PNP to deploy over 9,000 cops for Nov. 30 ‘Trillion Peso March’</a></div><p>“Nagbigay ng directive si Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, tayo po sa PCG ay magbibigay ng assistance sa PNP, particularly ang pagde-deploy ng personnel sa mga area na pupuntahan ng mga magra-rally. Magpo-provide din tayo ng mga team na magbibigay ng medical assistance, as well as our K9 dogs to provide security as well,” Cayabyab told reporters in a separate interview.</p><p>She continued, “Ang ating deployment ay we will be in assistance and we will be taking the instructions of the PNP as the lead agency.”</p><p>According to Cayabyab, the PCG will also deploy its sea assets in Manila Bay to monitor activities along the waterfront.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></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/2ph_j7EnrUE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The initiative aimed to synchronize operational responses across domains amid an increasingly complex security environment.</p>

The initiative aimed to synchronize operational responses across domains amid an increasingly complex security environment.