CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), formally opened Exercise Tempest Express 41-2026 during a ceremony held on June 3 at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.
Conducted under the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT) Program, the exercise will run from June 3 to 11, and brings together representatives from 17 MPAT nations and 31 MPAT members, as well as humanitarian organizations and civilian agencies. The activity aims to strengthen disaster response planning, enhance interoperability, and improve coordination during humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.
As a key member of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the lead agency of the Search, Rescue, and Retrieval Cluster, the AFP continues to play a vital role in advancing a whole-of-government approach to disaster management.
The exercise underscores the AFP's commitment to building resilient partnerships and strengthening regional cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, ensuring participating nations are better prepared to respond collectively to complex emergencies and natural calamities.
Photo by Cpl Esteban and A1C Castro / PAOAFP
