ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Navy (PN), through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem), and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are conducting the second Maritime Security Engagement — a sign that both countries shared a strong relationship in matters of security.
The arrival on Monday in this city of Australia’s Her Majesty Australian Ship (HMAS) Broome and HMAS Launceston highlighted the start of the 21-day 2nd PN-RAN Maritime Security Engagement, which reeled off on Tuesday, March 13.
The security engagement ends on April 2, Navforwem said.
The activity includes maritime patrols in the waters of NFWM area of responsibility comprising the waters of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
The holding of the 21-day security engagement came after the successful conduct of the 1st Maritime Security Engagement in October last year by PN and RAN.
Read Adm. Rene Medina, Navforwem commander, said this kind of activities is part of the anti-piracy and anti-terrorism campaign of the government, which helps curb the security threats that are affecting Mindanao.
Medina said the joint security engagements conducted were one of the major causes in depleting the number of kidnapping incidents in Western Mindanao area.
He noted that zero kidnapping was recorded last year within Navforwem area of responsibility through the effort of both local and international agencies.
“I am very certain that both our Navies share common concerns in ensuring safer seas and trade routes for our sea farers and respective communities. The piracy and terrorism here in the Southern Philippines is not only the concern of our country but the concern of all,” Medina said.
Through these efforts, the Philippine Navy, with the help of the Fleet Marine Team of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, assured the Filipino people, particularly of the surrounding communities of Southern Mindanao that it will continue to uphold its mandate of protecting the sovereign seas and ensuring that security threats and terrorism will be finally put to an end for a peaceful and progressive Mindanao. (PNA)
