Member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are committed to defend their shared waters in the Southeast Asian region against any “maritime threats”.

(BRP Antonio Luna leads the line of ships during the ASEAN Fleet Review 2023 off Subic, Zambales on May 11, 2023. Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)

This was the promise given by Vice Admiral Tiburcio Adaci Jr., PN Flag Officer in Command, as he witnessed the ASEAN Fleet Review (AFR) 2023 in Subic, Zambales on Thursday, May 11. He was accompanied by Department of National Defense (DND) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Gen. Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other high-ranking military officials.

Nine ships participated in the AFR 2023 which carried the theme “Synergy at Sea: Regional Cohesion for peace and stability” and provided an opportunity for ASEAN members to be ambassadors of goodwill and catalysts of ASEAN centrality and cooperation. 

The participants included PN’s BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17); RSS Supreme (73) from the Royal Singapore Navy; KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai (332) from the Indonesian Navy; KD Leiku (FFG30) from the Royal Malaysian Navy; OPV 512 (Patanni Class) from the Royal Thai Navy; KDB Daruttaqwa(09) and KDB Afiat (20) from the Royal Brunei Navy; and Trang Hung Dao (015) from the Vietnam People’s Navy. 

Meanwhile, countries with no standing navies like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (DPR) sent observers to the fleet review which signified their gesture of unity and solidarity to the ASEAN community.

Adaci said the AFR showed the “unwavering commitment” of the Philippines and other ASEAN countries to promoting maritime security in the region. 

“[It sends] a clear message to the world: We are dedicated to safeguarding our shared waters, countering maritime threats, and ensuring the stability that underpins our economic growth and prosperity,” Adaci said.

Meanwhile, Galvez emphasized that the activity was “not a show of force,” rather a “showcase of the ASEAN centrality” to “show the oneness and unity of the different [member] countries.”

He added that the ASEAN navies came together “to promote rule-based and safe maritime operations with our brothers and family of like-minded nations.”

“If all the armed forces are talking to each other, we can prevent war from happening because we are talking about peace and understanding, and we are reaching out to everybody,” Galvez said. 

The AFR served as the culminating event of the 17^th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) and the commencement of the 2^nd ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX).