(Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)
MANILA – The Philippine Navy's (PN) offshore patrol vessel, BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), and Naval Task Group 80.5 have arrived in Makassar, Indonesia on Sunday to take part in this year's "Komodo" naval exercises.
In a statement Monday, Lt. Jonathan Carretas said BRP Andres Bonifacio is the first foreign warship to arrive for Komodo which is scheduled for June 4 to 8.
"BRP Andres Bonifacio, skippered by Commander Paul Michael P. Hechanova, crossed the equator safely to Makassar, Indonesia—the first foreign participating warship to arrive for the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2023," he added.
Some 193 PN personnel were deployed to take part in the "Komodo" drills.
Carretas said 32 countries will be participating in the MNEK which officially kicked off Sunday in Makassar City, South Sulawesi.
An International Fleet Review is also scheduled on Monday and will be headed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Hatta Pier, Makassar City.
"Moreover, various activities are also lined up during the MNEK such as bilateral meetings, international maritime security symposium, engineering civic action program, medical civic action program, and other entertainment activities that will culminate on 08 June 2023 with a sea phase exercise," Carretas said.
He added "Komodo" emphasized military operations other than war with navies responding to natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, and maritime threats.
"The exercise theme is 'Partnership to Recover and To Rise Stronger' to promote the spirit of collective awakening from the Covid-19 pandemic and increase friendship among countries for a better future," Carretas said.
"Komodo" is a military exercise by the Indonesian Navy and annually held between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The first iteration of the naval exercise took place in 2014 in Indonesia's Batam City.
The BRP Andres Bonifacio left Naval Operating Base Subic last May 29 to participate in "Komodo". (PNA)
