PH, Australia up for another Maritime Security Activity

HNFWM, Zamboanga City (May 14, 2018) – The Western Mindanao Command through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao once again welcomed the Royal Australian Navy patrol ships in a ceremony at Zamboanga City Pier on May 14, 2018.

Before the ceremony, the PN vessel BRP General Mariano Alvarez led by LCDR Ted C Cerezo PN conducted a Meeting Procedure for Entering Harbor with the Royal Australian Navy vessels at 3.8 nautical miles Southeast off Tictabon Island, Zamboanga City.

The arrival of the Royal Australian Navy Ships - Her Majesty Australian Ship (HMAS) Albany and Her Majesty Australian Ship Glenelg marks the start of the 3^rd Combined Maritime Security Activity between the Philippine Navy and Australian Navy.

The Commander graced the Ceremony; Naval Forces Western Mindanao Rear Adm. Rene V Medina AFP represented by Deputy Commander for Marine Operations, COL Hernanie S Songano PN (M) (GSC) with other officers and enlisted personnel from WMC and NFWM along with its partner-stakeholders. LTCOL Judd Finger, Commander of Joint Task Force 629, headed Australian delegates.

Part of the activity is the series of maritime patrols in the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) particularly in the waters of ZAMPELAN, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Also, various ship drills aboard PN and RAN vessels will be undertaken for the benefit and readiness of crew on board.

Prior to this, RAN Joint Task Force 629 held a Coordinating/Planning Conference with the PN counterparts as preparation for the conduct of the 3^rd MSA.

Initially, the PN will be utilizing the following vessels to participate in the maritime patrol:

BRP Cebu (PS 28),

BRP Anastacio Cacayorin (PS 381),

BRP Dioscoro Papa (PC 381),

BRP Filipino Flojo (PC 386) and

BRP Gen Mariano Alvarez. While HMAS Albany and HMAS Glenelg will represent the Royal Australian Navy.

The joint cooperation and continuous conduct of such activities with other regional navies had helped the government in preventing and ending piracy, kidnappings and terrorism in the maritime domain.

The efforts of the military particularly the engagement of the Fleet-Marine Team in the Western Mindanao upholds the efforts of the government to maintain a safe maritime environment in Western Mindanao Command’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).