Tovic Salvador

PH Army ready to deploy more personnel to West PH Sea: Army chief

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine Army is prepared to deploy more personnel to features occupied by the country in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea, its chief said on Tuesday.Philippine Army commanding general Lieutenant General Roy Galido said the Army can now be rapidly deployed, and operate in different terrains or situations.“We’re ready. As you’ve heard and based on our Katihan exercises, the Army right now is highly mobile and very agile. We can be lifted; a battalion size can always be lifted any time and can be brought to any place in our country,” Galido told reporters in a press briefing at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.The Philippines occupies nine features in the KIG, namely Pag-asa Island, Parola Island, Ayungin Shoal, Lawak Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Panata Island, Patag Island and Rizal Reef.Over the weekend, Galido achieved a rare feat, obtaining an honorary badge from the Philippine Navy’s Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) in a symbolic display of inter-service unity and cooperation. The Army chief visited the headquarters of the NAVSOCOM at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point in Cavite City on June 7.He joined the rigorous training routine of the members of the elite naval special operations unit.In his speech, Galido stressed the importance of physical fitness and well-being.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/10/navy-china-must-leave-phs-maritime-zones-1447">Navy: China must leave PH’s maritime zones</a></div>He also emphasized the critical role of senior military personnel in inspiring their subordinates. Galido said the AFP’s major service branches conduct regular cross-trainings to acquire specific skills.“We always have these cross-trainings. It’s not only the Army training with the Navy. The Navy has a special skillset that the Army needs to acquire. The Navy also trains with the Army. So, there is always cross-training among service branches,” he noted.He went on, “This cross-training builds good working relationship and the very strong foundation for interoperability, especially when this training involves young officers, who will soon grow up in the profession of arms, and it will be easier for them to communicate and work together in a joint force environment.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/28/ph-army-to-use-us-typhon-missile-system-in-upcoming-training-1549">Philippines to train with US Typhon missile system in February</a></div>The Army chief also highlighted the importance of interoperability among the major service branches as the military shifts to territorial defense. “You’ve heard of interoperability, right? The Navy has this unique capability when it comes to seaborne operations. The Army special forces and sub-special forces units—we also have that special capability. What is important is for us to define specific functions where we can work together where we do not overlap capabilities because overlapping capabilities will be a drain to resources,” Galido said.“Interoperability, when it comes to maritime, is now very important. The Navy is out there. The Army is out there. The Army complements the Air Force and the Navy,” Galido added.

The Philippine Army is prepared to deploy more personnel to features occupied by the country in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea, its chief said on Tuesday.

The Philippine Army is prepared to deploy more personnel to features occupied by the country in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea, its chief said on Tuesday.