Philippine Air Force and Army hold their interoperability exercise in Antique with about 1,200 troops

21 October 2026

The Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army Interoperability Exercise began five days of field exercises on Monday in Barangay Ilaures and Barangay Camangahan in Bugasong, Antique. The exercise aims to strengthen the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to respond to maritime and coastal security threats. Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division Commander Major General Joey Escanillas said some 1,200 troops are taking part and that this is the first time the exercise has been held in the Visayas after earlier runs in Luzon. He said Antique is one of the lines of defence because of its proximity to Palawan and the West Philippine Sea. Exercises on the first day included close air support and direct fire from armoured assets at the shoreline. The exercise began on Oct. 14 at the headquarters of the 301st Infantry Brigade in Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo.