101st Infantry Brigade, US Marines conduct coastal defense training

THE Basilan-based Philippine Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade is shifting focus to territorial defense after the province was officially declared free of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The 101Bde in partnership with United States Marine Forces—Marine Special Operations Company-P and Marine Special Operations Team 8341—conducted Coastal Defense Training Exercise to strengthen territorial defense and joint force interoperability.

The training was conducted at the coast of Barangay Baluno, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province, on Saturday, June 14.

“A team of US Marines participated in the training,” Brigadier General Alvin Luzon, 101Bde commander said Monday in a text message, adding: “It is a joint training. They (US Marines) helped and advised.”

Basilan province was officially declared free of the Abu Sayyaf Group during a multi-sectoral ceremony on June 9 at the new provincial government center in Sta. Clara village, Lamitan City.

The participating units in the coastal defense training included the 18th Infantry Battalion, 4th Special Forces Battalion, Charlie Battery of the 8th Field Artillery Battalion, 14th Cavalry Company, and the Signal Company, which Luzon said all played crucial roles in simulating combined arms operations to defend coastal lines against potential threats.

Luzon said the primary objective of the training is to enhance operational readiness, command coordination, and multi-domain engagement capabilities in coastal and littoral environments.

He said the training featured the integration of artillery support, maneuvering infantry units, and specialized marine operations to rehearse rapid response as well as joint force coordination during littoral and amphibious threat scenarios.

The exercise aimed to ensure the Filipino troops remain capable, competent, and mission-ready to secure the strategic coastal areas of the country.

“A unified and synchronized approach among our forces is essential in responding effectively to evolving threats in our territorial waters and coastal areas,” Luzon said.

He said the training is part of the continuing efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to boost its territorial defense posture, enhance interoperability across units, and build a credible defense posture in Basilan province.

The training in Basilan came barely a week after Philippine and US Forces concluded two weeks of amphibious drills in Tawi-Tawi.

The Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat (Kamandag) exercise was held from May 22 to June 6 across waters connecting the Sulu and Celebes Seas.

Some 200 elite troops from the Philippine Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Special Action Force, Maritime police, and US military forces participated in the war games. (SunStar Zamboanga)