Military and law enforcement units from the Philippines, the United States, South Korea, and other allied countries have joined forces in Ilocos Norte for an intensive urban operations training under KAMANDAG 09-25 exercise.
The drill, which focused on close quarter battle (CQB) tactics, involved the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), U.S. Marine Corps Recon Team, Republic of Kora Marine Corps, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.
Designed to simulate high-stakes engagements in confined urban settings, the training emphasized the complexities of close-range combats and urban warfares.
Spearheading the training, the Philippine Marine Corps’ Force Reconnaissance Group drew upon lessons learned from the 2017 Marawi Siege. That urban conflict, one of the most significant battles in recent Philippine military history, provided a foundation for sharing battlefield-tested tactics and refining operational strategies.
