PH, US Marines begin joint exercise in Maguindanao

The Philippines and the United States have commenced Marine Exercise 2025 (MAREX25), a two-week bilateral training event involving approximately 480 marines from both nations, taking place at Camp Iranun in Maguindanao del Norte.

This exercise, running from March 31 to April 11, marks the second iteration of this bilateral training conducted in Central Mindanao.

Participants include personnel from the Philippine Marine Corps, the US Marine Corps, the Philippine Army's 65th Division Reconnaissance Company, the Philippine National Police's Regional Mobile Force Battalion-14, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Fleet-Marine Reservists.

MAREX25 is a component of the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Board - Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) 2025 initiative, designed to improve the interoperability and collaboration between the PMC and USMC in critical military operations.

Key training areas for MAREX 25 include maritime security operations in the littorals, amphibious assault operations, mechanized infantry operations, littoral live-fire exercises, and special operations.

Captain Carter J. Collins highlighted the importance of joint training in enhancing combat readiness and strengthening ties between the Philippine and US Marines.