
PH-Australia ‘Kasangga’ Military Drills Ramp Up in Bicol Region
Troops from the Philippine and Australian armies are conducting intensive joint training across multiple sites in Camarines Sur under Exercise Kasangga 26-01.

Troops from the Philippine and Australian armies are conducting intensive joint training across multiple sites in Camarines Sur under Exercise Kasangga 26-01.

Allied Philippine and American forces wrapped up a five-day maritime cooperative exercise near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, covering search-and-rescue, boarding operations, and helicopter drills.

Earning honors and advanced military qualifications, a Cebuano PMA cadet finished a four-year program at the United States Air Force Academy and will now serve as a commissioned PAF officer.

Bilateral defense talks between the Philippine and Royal Thai air forces concluded at Villamor Air Base, advancing a five-year cooperation roadmap covering training, joint exercises, and information sharing.

Soldiers-turned-performers from the 7th Infantry Division brought their original nationalist musical to Philippine Army headquarters, drawing the personal attendance of the Army chief.

Major General James Bartholomees of the 25th Infantry Division visited the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division on May 25, 2026, reinforcing bilateral defense ties between Manila and Washington.

More than 400 Filipino and Australian troops launched a month-long joint military exercise in Pili, Camarines Sur on May 25, marking the first time the Philippine Air Force and Navy joined the bilateral drill.

The Philippine Military Academy formally received 367 incoming cadets of Class 2030 during oath-taking and reception rites at Fort Del Pilar on May 23, 2026.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro praised Negros Occidental’s LGU and VISCOM troops for their joint counterinsurgency and peacebuilding efforts during a May 23 visit.

AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the wake of two female PAF pilots killed in a training flight mishap in Tuba, Benguet on May 20, 2026.

Panglima Estino, Sulu has been formally declared a Rido-Free, Gun-Free, and Peace-Centered Community, marking a major milestone in the province’s peacebuilding efforts.

The Philippine Army received new Mobile Medical Laboratories at Fort Bonifacio on May 20, 2026, donated through the First Lady’s Lab for All Program.

Philippine, US, Japanese, Australian, and New Zealand armies conducted a joint air assault drill on May 17, 2026, seizing a simulated target in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

The Philippine Air Force blessed two new Bell 412EPX helicopters on May 19, 2026, expanding its fleet to 16 Bell 412 aircraft under an ongoing modernization program.

Cadet 1st Class Christine Kaye Librada becomes the 9th female to top the PMA since 1993, leading 207 graduates of the Talang Dangal Class of 2026.

The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division held a Drone Racing Fellowship on May 16, 2026, at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, to prepare troops for technology-driven warfare.

President Marcos leads PMA commencement exercises for 207 graduates of “TALANG DANGAL” Class of 2026 at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City on May 16, 2026.

The 10th Infantry Division opened a nine-day inter-agency defense and civil defense exercise in Mati City, Davao Oriental on May 16, 2026.