After decades of focusing on internal security operations against communist rebels and other threat groups especially in Mindanao, the Philippine Army has started shifting its operational capabilities to territorial defense operations.

And to test its  defense strategic plan implementation, more than 6,000 Army troopers are expected to join the Philippine Army’s CATEX, or the Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) “Katihan”. 

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said those who would participate would come from contingents from various parts of the country.

“The exercise bolsters the Army's shift from internal security to territorial defense operations. The large-scale exercise will effectively test the Army’s capability to move, maneuver, and sustain large-scale forces during combat operations,” said Dema-ala.

He said the final discussion on how the exercises would be carried out next month was already ironed out during a meeting of top Army officials.

The CATEX “Katihan” military exercises will be held in various Army camps in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Defense and military officials have started the shift to territorial defense after the peace agreement with the large armed group in Mindanao, as well as addressing the threats of terror groups that include the Abu Sayyaf Group.

In the case of the communist rebels, the national government has been successful in reducing the operational capability of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in the past years.

The death of CPP founder Joma Sison and other possible replacements also helped a lot in creating a leadership vacuum that affected the strength and capability of the CPP-NPA, experts said. 

The shift to the territorial defense of the AFP has long been planned, the concept is to leave the internal security operations to the Philippine National Police (PNP) using its elite units like the Special Action Force.