6,000 troops to join ‘Katihan’ war games

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

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

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Demaala said participants would come 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 has been ironed out during a meeting of top Army officers.

CATEX Katihan 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 organizations that include the Abu Sayyaf.

In the case of communist rebels, the national government has been successful in reducing the operational capability of the Communist Party of the Philippinesnew 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 territorial defense has long been planned and leaves internal security operations to the Philippine National Police (PNP) through elite units like the Special Action Force.