Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi — June 7, 2025 — Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete commended the successful conduct of Exercise KAMANDAG 09-2025, which concluded with a closing ceremony today at the 2nd Marine Brigade (2MBde) Headquarters in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.
The multi-day bilateral training between Philippine and U.S. forces, along with other allied and interagency partners, was highlighted by a Full Mission Profile demonstration at Naval Station Juan Magluyan (NSJM) on June 5. The exercise showcased the operational readiness and interoperability of participating units in both military and humanitarian missions.
Lt. Gen. Nafarrete served as the Guest of Honor and keynote speaker at the ceremony, where he underscored the significance of KAMANDAG — short for Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat — beyond its tactical and strategic elements.
“KAMANDAG is more than just a military exercise. It is a symbol of the enduring partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and our allies, most notably the United States Marine Corps,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to all units and personnel who contributed to the exercise, including the Philippine Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Air Force, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and their U.S. counterparts. He also extended appreciation to interagency partners and local communities in Tawi-Tawi whose support was instrumental in the event’s success.
“As we close this chapter, let us carry forward the lessons learned, the relationships strengthened, and the unity reinforced throughout KAMANDAG 09-2025,” Lt. Gen. Nafarrete urged. “Let us continue to train together, build together, and stand ready together — as warriors not only for national defense, but for peace and humanitarian service.”
Exercise KAMANDAG 09-2025 is part of ongoing efforts to enhance regional security, humanitarian response, and disaster preparedness through international defense collaboration. The successful execution of the exercise reflects WestMinCom’s steadfast commitment to peace, partnership, and mission readiness in Western Mindanao and beyond.