Philippine Navy contingent back from ASEAN drill

May 22, 2019

The Philippine Navy contingent who joined this year's ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (ADMM-Plus MARSEC FTX) returned on Wednesday.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, Philippine Navy spokesman said the Philippine Navy welcomes the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17) and its contingents who joined the a month-long naval exercise in South Korea and Singapore.

Zata said the Philippine Navy contingents onboard PS17 arrived at Pier 13 in South Harbor, Manila.

"The Naval Task Group 80.6 Commander, Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad, led the 200-man contingent after its successful participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (ADMM-Plus MARSEC FTX) 2019 from April 29 to May 13, 2019," he said.

Zata said the exercise which held its first phase in Busan, South Korea and the second phase in Changi, Singapore were participated by 18 countries from ASEAN and non-ASEAN region.

"In between this exercise, the Philippines joined India, Japan, and the US in a maritime cooperative activity from May 3 to 9, 2019 while in transit in the international waters to Singapore," he said.

Zata said the quadrilateral sail with the US, Japanese and Indian navies was one of the highlights of this overseas mission.

''It showed the PN’s commitment in strengthening its relationship with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. This served also as an opportunity for the PN to actively engage with the like-minded navies," he added.

Zata added that "as the ADMM-Plus MARSEC FTX 2019 culminated in Changi, Singapore, the PN participated in two other major maritime activities (which includes) the Maritime Information Sharing Exercise (MARISX) 2019 which coincided with the 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the Information Fusion Center (IFC); and the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) 2019."

He said these activities were attended by Philippine Navy chief, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.

"The PN’s participation in the ADMM-Plus MARSEC FTX reflects its aspiration and commitment in promoting cooperation among ASEAN navies so that in the future it can collectively be a viable guarantor of peace and stability in Southeast Asian region," said Zata. Robina Asido/DMS