Michael Punongbayan

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — An advanced anti-ship missile system developed for the US military will be used in the April 21 Balikatan exercises in which 14,000 Filipino and American troops are expected to participate, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday. At a briefing, the AFP confirmed the arrival of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System or NMESIS for use in this year’s Balikatan exercises. The annual joint drills will be held until May 9.

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has intensified operations against a remaining unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Luzon. From April 5 to 11, troops under the Joint Task Force Tala of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) launched security operations after unidentified armed men were spotted in the mountainous area of Kabugao town in Apayao.

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino and American soldiers are currently engaged in non-military activities nationwide as part of socio-civic programs being carried out ahead of this year’s Balikatan Exercises. In Bulacan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that the renovation of classrooms in the Sampaloc Elementary School in Barangay Pulong, Doña Remedios Trinidad is progressing.

2 weeks ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has again managed to deliver food and other supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Experiencing no interference from Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the military was also able to carry out its rotation of troops smoothly on Wednesday. AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the latest rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the Sierra Madre was conducted on Araw ng Kagitingan.

2 weeks ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino and American soldiers are conducting a joint military training called “Exercise Salaknib” in Nueva Ecija to sharpen their skills in warfare. Filipino soldiers and their counterparts in the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) have so far completed the subject matter expert exchanges as part of the ongoing 10th iteration of the joint training at  Fort Magsaysay, according to Col. Louie Dema-ala, spokesman for the Philippine Army (PA).