AFP to conduct drills on Pag-asa Island as part of 'DAGIT-PA'
Philippine News Agency
By Priam Nepomuceno
November 4, 2025, 7:18 pm
MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct a "constructive naval surface fire support" drill on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of this year's AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) "DAGIT-PA."
"We are extending this ("DAGIT-PA") to our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and to the other features that we are occupying, specifically Pag-asa Island," AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told reporters in an interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday following the opening ceremonies for the joint exercise.
Brawner added that the AFP will be using land, air and maritime assets during the drill on Pag-asa Island, which is just one of several field training exercises under DAGIT-PA.
In a speech during the opening ceremonies, Brawner said the drills under "DAGIT-PA," which is short for "Dagat-Langit-Lupa" (sea-air-land), will allow the military to adapt to new challenges and present-day threats.
"So these are not just simulations. They are strategic rehearsals for real world contingencies, validating our concepts of operation under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) and territorial defense plan 'Bantay Kalayaan'," he said.
CADC is a strategic shift where the AFP is tasked to defend all Philippine territories, including its 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone.
Pag-asa Island is located 280 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Brawner also said this is not the first time that the AFP will conduct "DAGIT-PA" drills in the WPS, noting that a similar exercise was conducted last year on Kota Island, which lies some 266 nautical miles west of Puerto Princesa City.
This year's AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) "DAGIT-PA" will run from Nov. 4 to 14. (PNA)
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