MARITIME TRAINING. The First Philippine-Indonesia Maritime Training Activity (MTA) kicks off at the Naval Station Felix, Apolinario, Panacan, Davo City, on Monday (Nov. 25, 2019). Four Philippine naval ships are joining, with the Indonesians deploying KRI Layang and KRI Pandarong during the activity. (Photo courtesy of the Mindanao Eastern Command)
DAVAO CITY – The first Philippine-Indonesia Maritime Training Activity (MTA) kicked-off at the Naval Station Felix, Apolinario, Panacan here on Monday.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the one-week combined force training is participated in by the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) and members of the Indonesian Second Fleet Command.
He added that the exercise, which will end on Saturday (Nov. 30), includes naval doctrine discussion, tabletop exercise, and open sea drills and maneuvers, which aims to enhance the readiness of both navies in addressing their common maritime security concerns and interests.
Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., commander of Eastmincom, lauded the proactive stance of both forces to be abreast with the dynamic maritime security environment.
"It is imperative for us to keep up with the everchanging maritime security environment and develop more robust approaches in addressing maritime security," Santos said.
Four naval ships will be used during the MTA, with NFEM deploying Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Apolinario Mabini and BRP Liberato Picar, while the Indonesian will be utilizing KRI Layang and KRI Pandarong.
"The activity is navy-to-navy and it is more on military exercise compared to CORPAT- PHILINDO, which includes other civilian agencies from both countries," said Commodore Antonio Palces, commander of NFEM.
Palces was referring to the Coordinated Patrol Indonesia Philippines, an annual coordinated border patrol between the Philippine Navy and Indonesian Navy, in which two navies undertake series of sea serials and other naval operations along the border areas.
First Admiral Rachmad Jahadi, Commandant, Maritime Security Task Force of Second Fleet Command of the Indonesian Navy, led the Indonesian delegates.
Last week, the RP-RI Border Committee Chairmen's Conference was held at the Water Front Hotel here, where both parties agreed to continuously intensify the conduct of Coordinated Patrol operations that will seek to ensure the security and maritime control in both countries' common borders. (PNA)
