ZAMBOANGA CITY — The first leg of the 5th Combined Philippine Navy-Royal Australian Navy (PN-RAN) Maritime Training Activity has concluded in this part of the country, a military official said Saturday.
Rear Adm. Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, said the maritime activity, which culminated Friday, has benefitted both Navies in terms of inter-operability.
Medina said it has also complemented the current maritime security operations of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in terms of Naval presence and deterrence of movement of lawless groups at sea.
Medina said the activity was conducted in the maritime areas of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and was participated by PN’s BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS-38) and Her Majesty Australian Ship(HMAS) Launceston (ACPB94) of the RAN.
The culmination of the first leg saw the departure of HMAS Launceston from Tawi-Tawi en route to Naval Forces West Area in Palawan for the continuation of the 2nd leg of similar activity.
Medina said the joint exercise included maritime patrols in the waters Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi as well as aboardship drills that enhanced the capabilities and readiness of crew on board the participating vessels.
The joint exercise kicked off on September 24 with the arrival of HMAS Launceston in this city. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
