PREPARATION Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (third from right) on Monday leads the opening ceremony of the joint AFP Dagat-Langit-Lupa exercise, which will involve 3,000 active and reserve forces and representatives from Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and other government agencies. — Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday launched a unilateral joint exercise among its main branches to train troops to collectively respond “to any external threats” that could challenge the country’s sovereignty.

The AFP Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa (AJEX DAGIT-PA) from November 4 to 15 will involve 3,000 active and reserve forces in areas covered by the Western Command and Northern Luzon Command facing the Philippine Sea from West and Taiwan, where China has stepped up its aggression as a result of its growing military power.

“Our mission today is very clear, to prepare comprehensively to respond to any external threats that could endanger our sovereignty,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in his speech during the opening ceremony.

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This year’s AJEX DAGIT-PA is a simulation of the military’s territorial defense plan called Bantay Kalayaan, he said. By next year, the AFP will launch a new campaign plan that will unify internal and external defense campaign plans.

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“Ultimately, everyone will be involved in homeland defense wherever you are in the country as we sustain the gains we’ve had for homeland security operations,” Brawner said.

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China in the “front seat”

As in the previous year, a contingent from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police will join the exercises as part of the uniformed services.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Home Affairs and Local Government and the Department of Social Assistance and Development, among other government agencies, will also be represented in the exercises.

“In case of war, the PCG and the PNP will join us to defend the country… We will also collaborate with other agencies when war arises,” Brawner said.

According to Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine, AJEX DAGIT-PA exercise director, China is expected to monitor the exercises as on previous occasions, but they have “planned and prepared for contingencies” in any case.

“China will respond in the same way they have always responded. They have a front seat at the exercise. They are going to follow and they are not bothering us,” said AJEX DAGIT-PA Executive Agent, Col. Michael Logico, adding that the exercises are not aimed at anyone.

“large number”

“This is done intentionally to improve our combat readiness and to guarantee that our joint forces are fully competent and competent to fulfill their mandate,” he said.

Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon said last month that his hometown’s AJEX DAGIT-PA will be held at the city’s sand dunes in Barangay La Paz, covering the west coast to Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

“This will be an exercise to move a large number of troops and equipment from Laoag City to Burgos, which will be a test of organization and logistical maneuvers,” he said in a Facebook post.

Ilocos Norte is located northwest of the Philippines, near the West Philippine Sea and Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force if necessary.

“Information Warfare”

Just over the weekend, Taiwan reported an increase in Chinese military activity around the island as the US presidential election approaches.

China also claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by its neighbors.

The exercises at AJEX DAGIT-PA, in addition to regular field and live-fire training, will include an information warfare exercise for the first time as the military calls for “strategic communications and information operations in modern defense operations” against the backdrop of a in evolution. of war.

“We must provide correct information not only to our countrymen, but to the whole world. Fake news has become widespread and could turn the tide of war. In other parts of the world with ongoing conflicts, there is a very strong information war because they want to give their own narrative to the world,” Brawner told reporters.

“It’s the same as what’s happening in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea. We all know that we are being harassed by the Chinese coast guard and the Chinese militia, but in their own narrative it is the other way around. It’s fake news, so we have to counter that and we have to repeat that in times of war,” he said.