THE Philippine Navy (PN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has completed the conduct of the 21-day Second Combined Maritime Security Engagement (MSE) in the Sulu Sea, a top PN official said.
Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) commander, said the MSE ended on Monday, April 2.
Medina said the 21-day MSE saw the deployment of PN and RAN vessels.
Medina said the PN through Navforwem’s Naval Task Force 61 has deployed the following vessels: BRP-Gregorio Del Pilar (FF15); BRP-General Mariano Alvarez (PS-38); BRP Felix Apolinario (PC-395), BRP Filipino Flojo (PC-386); and, BRP-Florencio Inigo (PC-393).
The water Assets from the RAN were the HMAS Broome (ACPB-90) and HMAS Launcestaun (ACPB-94).
The Navforwem commander said the patrol areas during the 21-day MSE were along the Area of Operations of Joint Task Forces Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan.
Medina said the MSE is 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.
The joint maritime engagements were one of the major causes in depleting the number of kidnapping incidents here in Mindanao.
Zero kidnappings have been recorded last year within Navforwem area of responsibility through the effort of both local and international agencies.
The closing ceremony of the MSE was held at the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in this city.
The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Colonel Judd Finger, the Commander of Joint Task Group 629 as the Keynote Speaker and Captain Joe Anthony Orbe, Naval Task Force 61 acting commander, who represented Medina.
Also present were the officers and crew of PN and RAN vessels engaged in the maritime patrol.
The 21-day Second Combined MSE is a follow through to the previous joint exercise of PN and RAN.
The PN and RAN successfully held its first Combined PN-RAN Maritime Security Engagement from November 10 until Dec. 1, last year.
The patrol areas were focused in the waters of Sulu Sea. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)