THE Philippine Navy (PN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are conducting the second Maritime Security Engagement as both countries share a strong relationship in matters of security.

The 21-day 2nd PN-RAN Maritime Security Engagement reeled off on Tuesday, March 13, and ends on April 2.

The arrival on Monday, March 12, in this city of Australia’s Her Majesty Australian Ship (HMAS) Broome and HMAS Launceston highlight the start of the Maritime Security Engagement.

The activity includes maritime patrols in the waters of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) area of responsibility comprising the waters of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

The holding of the second security engagement came after the successful conduct of the 1st Maritime Security Engagement in October last year by PN and RAN.

Read Admiral Rene Medina, Navforwem commander, said these kinds of activities are part of the anti-piracy and anti-terrorism campaign of the government, which help curb the security threats that are affecting the Islands of 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.