Boom! Philippine Army Flexes Firepower in Massive Coastal Defense Drill sa Pangasinan
The Philippine Army just showed the world it means business when it comes to defending the country's coastline. In a dramatic littoral defense live-fire exercise held in Burgos, Pangasinan on March 9, armor and artillery units successfully repelled a simulated enemy assault as part of the Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) "Katihan."
Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, the Army chief himself, personally observed the drills. The 701st Combined Arms Brigade led the exercise, deploying armored infantry fighting vehicles equipped with Remote Control Weapons Systems (RCWS) and 105mm towed howitzers — serious hardware designed for serious threats.
In a modern twist, Army reservists also deployed combat drones against strategically placed targets along the Burgos shoreline. The combination of traditional firepower with cutting-edge drone technology reflects the military's push to modernize its defense capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges.
A total of 4,222 personnel are participating in the exercise, now on its third iteration, with operations spread across training areas in Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte. The drill tests the Army's Land Defense Concept in support of external security operations — essentially how the PA organizes and employs forces to protect Philippine territory, people, and strategic assets.
Nafarrete stressed the importance of training hard to meet the challenges of the fast-changing global and regional security landscape. With tensions simmering in the region, the Philippines is clearly sending a signal: our coastlines are defended and our soldiers are ready.
Source: Manila Bulletin
