MANILA -- The Philippine Navy's (PN) participation to the first-ever ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise (ACMEX) highlights its commitment in promoting multi-lateral cooperation.
"It is an ingenuous affirmation of its commitment in collaborating with other navies to promote peace and stability in the region. As with other naval engagements and exercises, these activities are expected to validate friendship, partnership and cooperative commitment that have been established and observed among ASEAN Member States, and the People’s Republic of China," PN spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said in a statement late Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, the PN formally sent off the logistic support vessel, BRP Dagupan City (LC-551), and a 200-man contingent in Sangley Point, Cavite City.
Present during the ceremony were PN Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Danilo Rodelas.
Zata said the PN contingent for ACMEX 2018 is headed by Commander Sherwin E. Respeto.
"This will be the latest contingent sent by the PN following its successful participation in different multilateral naval exercises such as KOMODO Exercise in Mataram, Indonesia, RIMPAC Exercise in Hawaii, USA and KAKADU in Darwin, Australia to include the recent goodwill visits in Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The ACMEX 2018 aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN Member States (AMS) navies and China PLA (N) focusing on maritime safety and search and rescue at sea with emphasis on the use of Code of Unplanned Encounter at Sea (CUES)," the PN spokesperson said.
ACMEX 2018, slated from Oct. 21 to 28 in Zhanjiang, will be hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and China's People Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
BRP Dagupan City is expected to arrive in China on Oct. 20.
Earlier, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the proposal for a joint ASEAN and Chinese naval exercise was submitted during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Singapore last February. (PNA)
