'DAGITPA' exercise closes with 'more stable, stronger' AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officially concluded the AFP Joint Exercise "Dagat-Langit-Lupa (AJEX DAGITPA) on Friday, Nov. 17, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The exercise made the military "more stable" and "stronger", according to Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino.

"In the past weeks, you underwent a rigorous training. I am sure that you have learned a lot of valuable lessons and your skills are tested which will now be the basis of a more stable and stronger Armed Forces," said Espino, who represented Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Meanwhile, Irineo said Teodoro expects that the AFP will be more equipped with the skills to protect the country and its sovereignty with the conclusion of the DAGITPA.

More than 1,500 personnel from the Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and Cyber Group participated in the almost two-week long exercise that began on Nov. 6.

The exercise sought to enhance the interoperability of the AFP's major services, fortify their territorial defense posture, sharpen their external security capabilities, and improve their ability to respond to emerging threats with unparalleled precision.