A bilateral ground forces exercise between the Philippine Army and the Australian Army got underway on October 19 at the 8th Division Training School (8DTS) in Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar, with 234 soldiers from both countries participating in the drills.
The Philippine Army identified the exercise as Kasangga 2026-02, the second iteration of the program conducted this year. It is being hosted by the 8th Infantry "Stormtroopers" Division (8ID), the Philippine Army unit assigned to the Eastern Visayas region.
Troop Composition from Both Armies
According to the Philippine Army, 144 Filipino soldiers are taking part, drawn from five units: the 8th Division Training School, the 63rd Infantry Battalion, the 543rd Engineer Construction Battalion, the 7th Cavalry Company, and the 803rd Community Defense Center. They are training alongside 90 Australian Army soldiers for the nearly month-long exercise.
Focus on Combined Warfighting Capabilities
The Philippine Army said the exercise centers on building interoperability between the two forces through the exchange of operational knowledge, tactical expertise, and best practices. Areas covered span key warfighting functions, including command and control, intelligence, maneuver, fires, sustainment, and force protection.
Regular iterations of Kasangga, the Philippine Army noted, are intended to strengthen the capacity of both armies to conduct combined operations together.
First 2026 Iteration Was Held in Bicol Region
The first exercise of the year, Kasangga 2026-01, was conducted in the area of responsibility of the 9th Infantry Division in the Bicol Region, concluding in June at Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur, according to the Philippine Army.
The word kasangga in Filipino translates to "ally" or "partner," a reference to the bilateral character of the program.
Exercise Has Moved Across Multiple Divisions Since 2024
The Philippine Army reported that the Kasangga program has been held twice a year and has cycled through different division areas of responsibility. Previous iterations took place in Isabela and Camarines Sur in 2024, followed by Cagayan de Oro and Capiz in 2025, before the current year brought the exercise to the Bicol Region and now Eastern Visayas.
Photos released by the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office show Filipino and Australian troops in formation at the 8DTS grounds during the October 19 opening ceremony.
Source: Philippine Army / 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office