By
Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (April 4, 2018) – The Philippine Navy (PN)and Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) successfully concluded its 2nd Combined Maritime Security
Engagement (MSE) this Monday (April 2) at Officers’ Club, Naval Station Romulo
Espaldon, Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City, military official said.
The
Closing Ceremony was attended by Lt. Col. Judd Finger, the Commander of Joint
Task Group 629 as the Keynote Speaker and Rear Adm. Rene V Medina, Commander of
Naval Forces Western Mindanao represented by Capt. Joe Anthony C Orbe, the
Acting Commander of Naval Task Force 61 (NTF 61). Also present were the
officers and crew of PN and RAN vessels engaged in the maritime patrol.
Prior
to the closing ceremony is the presentation of the review and evaluation on the
just-held maritime cooperation. Moreover, RAN appreciated the professionalism
and skills showed by their Filipino counterparts and emphasized that the
engagement help out in the development of operational concepts and enhanced
interoperability in handling threats faced by both countries in the maritime
sphere.
During
the MSE, the PN through the NTF 61 of NFWM utilized the following vessels
namely, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF15), BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS 38), BRP
Felix Apolinario (PC 395), BRP Filipino Flojo (PC 386) and BRP Florencio Inigo
(PC 393). Water Assets from the Australian Navy were the HMAS Broome (ACPB 90)
and HMAS Launceston (ACPB 94).The patrol areas were along the Area of Operation
of Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi, Sulu and Basilan.
Recently,
the PN and RAN successfully held its first Combined PN-RAN Maritime Security
Engagement last Nov. 10- Dec. 1, 2017. The patrol areas were focused in the
waters of Sulu Sea. This activity had enhanced the Maritime Cooperation with
other regional navies and continues to secure the maritime domain of the Sulu
Sea. The continuous partnership of both countries indicates the level of trust and
the commitment to achieve a common goal of protecting the Sea Lines of
Communications (SLOCs) from terrorism and crimes perpetrated using the maritime
space.
RADM
Medina said that overall the maritime cooperation accomplished all its
objectives on improving the interoperability, enhancing professional skills and
capabilities during the conduct of tactics and procedures aboard ship and
exchanging of experiences on maritime operations that turn out to be highly
beneficial for both parties.
The
Philippine Navy through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao will continue to perform
its mandated tasks of securing the maritime domain of Western Mindanao
unilaterally or in partnership with its allies, RADM Medina added.
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