Philippine Marines conduct ‘historic’ training using new assault vehicles to reclaim an island

The exercise was not directed at China despite being staged on a beach facing the South China Sea, where Beijing has built several military installations

The drills were part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the country’s defences against foreign armies and other hostile forces

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Published: 7:00pm, 22 Sep 2019Updated: 7:01pm, 22 Sep 2019

The Philippine Marines this weekend showcased its eight brand new amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) in drills simulating “a scenario of an island retake”, the Philippine military said.

Armed forces spokesman Colonel Noel Detoyato said the exercise was not directed at China despite being staged on a beach facing the South China Sea, where Beijing has built several military installations on artificial islands.

“It was just a scenario exercise and not directed to any specific incident or area,” Detoyato told the South China Morning Post. “The ship to shore exercise involved our newly acquired AAVs.

“These areas of exercise have been used for a long time because of the proximity to our naval camps and reservations,” he said, explaining why the training had been conducted on Subic Bay, the site of the largest former US naval base in Asia, which adjoins the South China Sea.

The exercises were part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the country’s defences against foreign armies and other hostile forces, including local communists and Muslim extremists.

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Espinosa, who commands the amphibious landing force, on Saturday described the exercise as “historic” because it was the first time Philippine Marines had used their own AAVs.

The Philippine Marines showcased its eight brand new amphibious assault vehicles in drills simulating ‘a scenario of an island retake’. Photo: EPA

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