Despite rough seas, the Philippine Fleet (PF) successfully conducted its first simultaneous unilateral and gunnery exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) this year.
Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Orbe, commander of PF, said the first “Philippine Fleet Unilateral Exercises 2025” held on Monday, March 10, saw the participation of the guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16), and pioneering landing dock BRP Tarlac (LD601).
“The 1st Philippine Fleet Unilateral Exercises 2025 officially commenced, showcasing an exceptional display of coordination, precision, and strategic agility,” Orbe said.
“These exercises not only sharpened the skills and effectiveness of participating naval assets on warfighting and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response but also bolstered the fleet's overall operational performance,” he added.
The three ships performed a series of maneuvering and radio communication drills, demonstrating exceptional strength and resilience and overcoming rough seas to enhance the operational readiness of the troops, Orbe said.
Meanwhile, BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Ramon Alcaraz carried out live fire drills southeast of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal).
The live fire “went ahead without a hitch despite turbulent seas” which showcased the PF’s “unwavering commitment to maintaining top-tier readiness in any environment,” Orbe noted.
Bajo de Masinloc, located 124 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales, is being claimed by China despite it being situated within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
The PF is one of the type commands of the Philippine Navy (PN). Its mission is to prepare and operate assigned forces for naval operations in order to support the PN accomplish its mission.
Meanwhile, its general objectives are to optimize operational readiness and combat effectiveness of equipment and personnel, and effectively manage available resources through efficient internal administration.