Philippine, Australian Troops Hold Joint Training in Samar as 8ID Eyes End to Insurgency by 2027

Posted on October 22, 2026 at 10:54 AM

The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) opened the joint exercise on October 19 at its Division Training School in Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar. The training will run until November 16, with about 300 Philippine Army personnel and nearly 100 Australian troops participating.

8ID commander Major General Peter B. Burgonio said the exercise is part of the longstanding defense cooperation between the Philippine Army and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

`Currently, we have a joint exercise with the Australian Defence Force called Kasangga 2026,’ Burgonio said.

The training covers intelligence operations, troop movement and maneuver, fire support, civil-military operations, medical operations, jungle warfare, logistics and force protection. It also aims to improve coordination between the two forces in responding to security challenges while ensuring the safety of nearby communities.

Army continues operations against insurgents

Burgonio said peace and security in Eastern Visayas had improved, although insurgent remnants remained in parts of the region.

`I can confidently say that there is a great, big improvement in our peace, order, and security situation,’ he said.

He identified Leyte as an area where insurgents remain, along with smaller groups in Northern Samar and other parts of Samar and Eastern Samar.

The Army continues to pursue its operations while working with local government officials and the families of remaining combatants to convince them to surrender and return to civilian life.

Burgonio said the military has been reaching out to the families of insurgents to encourage them to abandon the armed struggle.

`We do this by talking to their families,’ he said, explaining how relatives are being encouraged to persuade combatants to return to their communities.

He also cited cooperation between the military and local officials in connection with recent encounters in Northern Samar, Samar and Leyte.

8ID targets the end of insurgency by mid-2027

Burgonio said the division aims to end the insurgency in Eastern Visayas by the first half of 2027 but warned that setting a deadline could pressure troops to rush their operations.

`That is what is difficult when we set a timeline. It tends to rush things. But we are giving ourselves up to next year, probably the first semester, to really finish the insurgency,’ he said.

The 8ID plans to continue its security operations alongside efforts to persuade remaining combatants to lay down their arms. Exercise Kasangga 2026 is scheduled to end on November 16.

Photo courtesy: Public Affairs Office 8ID