By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippines and Indonesian militaries are indulged in a five-day maritime training that started Monday to enhance the readiness of both navies in addressing common maritime security concerns and interests.
(Courtesy of EastMinCom / MANILA BULLETIN)
Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), spearheaded the opening ceremony of the first Philippine-Indonesia Maritime Training Activity (MTA) at the Naval Station Felix in Panacan, Davao City.
The one week combined force training activity that kicked-off today and expected to conclude on November 30 is being hosted by the Philippines.
It includes personnel from the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) and members of the Indonesian Navy's Second Fleet Command.
The exercise ranges from naval doctrine discussion, tabletop exercise, and open sea drills and maneuvers, Santos said.
Santos, in his remarks, emphasized 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 ever changing maritime security environment and develop more robust approaches in addressing maritime security," he said.
Four naval ships will be used during the MTA.
The NFEM will be deploying the BRP Apolinario Mabini and BRP Liberato Picar while the Indonesian command will utilize KRI Layang and KRI Pandarong in the exercise.
"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.
First Admiral Rachmad Jahadi, commandant of Indonesian Navy's Second Fleet Command-Maritime Security Task Force, led the Indonesian delegates.
He said the activity is in preparation for the future conduct of coordinated patrol along the common borders of the two countries in the Celebes Sea.
Last November 19, the EastMinCom hosted the Indonesia's Second Fleet Command during the 38th Republic of the Philippines-Republic of Indonesia Border Committee Chairmen's Conference.
The meeting seeks "to review and strengthen the existing measures to ensure the safe passage of the respective nationals of both countries, to include the protection of fisherfolks in the border areas en route to the fishing grounds at high seas."
The border between the Philippines and Indonesia lies mainly on a maritime boundary in the Celebes Sea.
The two countries also have an existing trilateral maritime cooperation on border security with Malaysia that was finalized in 2018.
The maritime cooperation is aimed at preventing lawless elements such as pirates, smugglers, and foreign and local terrorists from using the southern backdoor as their entry and exit points to and from the concerned countries.