The five-day exercise, which was launched in a ceremony in Naval Station Felix in Davao City, includes naval doctrine discussion, tabletop exercise, and open sea drills and maneuvers, the Eastern Mindanao Command said in a statement.
“The activity is Navy to Navy and it is more on military exercise compared to CORPAT- PHILINDO, which includes other civilian agencies from both countries,” said NFEM commander Commo. Antonio Palces.
Four naval ships will be used throughout the exercise — BRP Apolinario Mabini and BRP Liberato Picar for the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM); and KRI Layang and KRI Pandarong for Indonesian Second Fleet Command.
The exercise is also a preparation for the future conduct of coordinated patrols along the common borders of the two countries in the Celebes Sea.
Last week, the Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to increase their coordinated patrol operations.