Navy cancels two int’l activities

April 6, 2020

The Philippine Navy postponed the 17th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) and International Fleet Review(IFR) due to the threat of 2019 coronavirus disease COVID-19).

"We are considering to postpone it (International Fleet Review) because of this COVID-19, this is our measure to ensure the health and safety of the participating navies," said Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

"It (symposium) will also be postponed. We are the host for this year. The hosting of this is rotational. It happens only every two years. The symposium for the chiefs of the navies every other year. The Philippines is the host for 2020," he added.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, Philippine Navy spokesperson, said both activities were to be held in the country in May.

"The rapid increase of cases worldwide which also affect 21 WPNS member countries and eight observer states compelled the PN to defer the historic covergence of navy chiefs and warships in the country especially now that the Philippines is now under the state ofpublic health emergency," she said.

"The WPNS aims to increase cooperation and the ability to operate together, as well as to build trust and confidence between Navies by providing a framework to enable the discussion of maritime issues of mutual interest, the exchange of information, the practiceand demonstration of capabilities, and the exchange of personnel," she added.

Roxas said "with the deferment of this international gathering, the PN is geared toward maximizing its capabilities to help mitigate the devastating effect of COVID-19."

"Sea, air and land assets are all in place for necessary deployment while sailors, marines and reservists join the frontline of interagency task force to help contain the spread of the virus," she said.

Bacordo said many countries have already confirmed their participation in the IFR."Asian countries, Japan, China, South Korea, Uinted States they have confirmed, Russia, they have confirmed attendance with the international fleet review and that of the West Philippine Sea," he said.

"It's supposed to be the first-ever international fleet that the Philippine Navy hosted and also for the Philippines it will be the first time that we will have so many international ships, international military vessels within our territory, simultaneous," he added.

Roxas said there are other international maritime exercises that have been postponed because of COVID-19 and these include the ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting  ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise and International Maritime Review. Robina Asido/DMS