A newly acquired AAV hits the beach during an amphibious landing exercise at Subic Freeport in Subic town, Zambales on Saturday, as part of the combined military drills. Thousands of troops from the Philippine army, navy, air force and marines kicked off a joint exercise dubbed “Dagit-PA” (land, air and sea) aimed at improving their operations. Ted Aljibe, AFP

The military tested its new amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) in Subic Bay on Saturday, machines it purchased from South Korea as part of efforts to modernize.

The AAVs, which can also be used in rescue operations during a disaster, first arrived in the country in May.

Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa, who led the Subic exercise, said one AAV costs P300 million. The military bought 8 AAVs.

1st Lt. Mariver Evans Tag-ap of the Navy said: “Maritime nation tayo. May mga area na maliliit, makikitid, so given na 'yung AAV natin kayang kaya niyang pasukin 'yung mga area na ito,” said

Specific personnel trained in South Korea for a month to familiarize themselves with the AAV.

"Medyo sa una nahirapan kami, pero 'yun naman 'yung pinag-aralan namin sa Korea. Unti-unti na naming ina-adapt na 'yung mga armaments,” said Tech. Sgt. Josepch Buena of the Marine Corps.

— Report from Trisha Mostoles, ABS-CBN News