Manila, May 20 -- The month-long Exercise "Kasangga" 2025-1 between Filipino and Australian military forces officially kicked off on Monday.

In a statement Tuesday, Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the drills started at Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, marking the first holding of the drills in Mindanao.

"The Philippine Army-Australian Army Exercise (PAAAE) 'Kasangga' 2025-1 brings together three platoons from the PA's 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions and the Combat Engineer Regiment and their training counterparts from the Australian Army," he added.

Participating troops will train from May 19 to June 24 at Camp Kibaritan, Bukidnon, Dema-ala said.

Kasangga, which means "ally" ...