DAVAO CITY – The Philippines has sent two navy ships to Indonesia to participate in a 10-day joint coordinated patrol exercises, officials said Tuesday.
Commodore Joel Dela Cruz, commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, said crew members of the Filipino ships – BRP Magat Salamat (PS20) and BRP Iloilo (PS32) – are joining the CORPAT PHILINDO XXVIII-14 Exercise which would run until September 25.
He said included in the CORPAT PHILINDO are different shipboard exercises and that participating units will conduct Flashing Light Exercise, Replenishment at Sea Approach, Flag Hoist Exercise and Tactical Maneuver Exercise.
“The main objective of the exercise is to strengthen the enforcement of laws at sea and to conduct effective border patrol operations as deterrence against illegal activities such as human trafficking, illegal drugs smuggling and the likes.”
“This will also enhance the good relations between the two countries through the development of joint operational patrol doctrines and naval tactics practices,” Dela Cruz said, adding, the joint exercise will also give the Filipino navy men an opportunity to learn the Indonesian culture and tradition. (Mindanao Examiner)
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