ZAMBOANGA CITY, Naval Station Romulo
Espaldon (July 31, 2018) – The Western Mindanao Command through the Philippine
Navy welcomed the Royal Australian Navy in Tawi-tawi for the 2nd leg of the 4th
Combined PN-RAN Maritime Security Activity, July 29, 2018, Military Official
said.
Rear
Admiral Rene V. Medina, Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao disclosed that
the Naval Station Juan Magluyan, an
organic unit of NFWM facilitated the Arrival and Opening Ceremony of the 4th
Combined PN-RAN MSA with the two Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boats – HMAS Ararat
and HMAS Wollongong inBatu-bato, Panglima Sugala,Tawi-Tawi. The said activity
was attended by Lt. Col. Judd Finger of the JTG 629 of the Australian
Government and LCDR Muksin A Jasid PN, Commander, Naval Station Juan Magluyan
with the officers of NSJM and Commanding officers of PN vessel.
Rear Admiral Medina said that right after the
opening ceremony, fellowship games between the PN and RAN delegates were held
followed by a boodle fight which served as a symbol of brotherhood and strong
bond between the two navies.
Moreover,
series of meeting procedures and maritime patrols in the Sea Lines of
Communications (SLOCs) particularly in the waters of ZAMPELAN, Basilan and
Tawi-Tawi will be conducted during the Maritime Security Activity. Also,
various ship drills aboard PN and RAN vessels will be undertaken for the
benefit and readiness of crew on board, Medina added.
Medina
also said that the vessels involved in the maritime patrols under the control
of NFWM are BRP Felix Apolinario (PC 395), BRP Anastacio Cacayorin (PC 387), Multi
purpose Attack Craft BA 482. While HMAS Wollongong and HMAS Ararat will be utilized
by the Royal Australian Navy.
Prior
to this, a Coordinating/Planning Conference was held by the PN with RAN counterparts
on June 5, 2018 as preparation for the conduct of the 4thMSA. Likewise, the
first leg of the said MSA was held in Naval Forces West Area of Responsibility
(NFW AOR) from July 16- 25, 2018, Medina added..
Medina
explained that the continuous conduct of such activity enhanced the maritime
interoperability between the PN and RAN and other regional state navies and to
also complement the current operations of the Naval Task Group Basilan and
Naval Task Group ZAMPELAN to pre-empt and end piracy, kidnappings and terrorism
in the maritime domain. Also, this efforts of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao
is in support to the anti-terrorism and piracy campaign of the government to
maintain a safe maritime environment in Western Mindanao Command’s Area of
Responsibility (AOR). (By JONG CADION
with PR)
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