The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao has conducted a coordinated maritime patrol with the Indonesian Navy in Sarangani, Davao Occidental to enhance the interoperability of the two allied forces, the Philippine Navy (PN) disclosed Wednesday, August 4.
The coordinated patrol, dubbed as CORPAT PHILINDO XXV-21, was held 20 nautical miles southwest off Balut Island from July 28 to 30, according to the PN.
The PN said that the CORPAT PHILINDO is a mutual agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia which seeks to "promote interoperability and enhancing the security" between the two countries' maritime borders.
The patrol was participated in by PN corvette BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS36), a Beechcraft King Air TC-90 patrol aircraft (tail number NV-394), and Indonesia's KRI-Layang 635.
The ships and the PN's patrol aircraft successfully conducted several drills including communications and electronics exercise (COMMELEX), maneuvering exercise (MANEX), flag hoist, semaphore exercise (SEMAPHOREX), photo exercise (PHOTOEX), and passing exercise (PASSEX).
"Notwithstanding unfavorableweather and rough sea conditions enroute to exercise area and during the conduct of coordinated patrols, both navy contingents successfully aaccomplished said activity," the PN said.
The PN assured that the coordinated patrol was concluded wth strict observance to the minimum publis health standards set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Philippines and Indonesia have been long-time partners in securing its maritime borders which are often taken advantaged of by pirates, terrorists, smugglers, drug syndicates, and other lawless elements.