Maritime agencies hold drills in Surigao del Norte
MANILA, Philippines — Maritime agencies in Eastern Mindanao held exercises in Surigao del Norte province this week to improve interagency cooperation on maritime challenges.
The Maritime Inter-Agency Exercise 2021-02, which ran from Nov. 3 to 5, sought to promote team effort and test the interoperability of agencies in maritime security operations, according to the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM).
A capability demonstration off the coast of Punta Bilar in Surigao City was the culmination of a series of lectures and discussions.
A team of Philippine Navy SEALs and various assets from the Navy, including the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), C90 aircraft, BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR702); and vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, joined the exercise, which simulated smuggling and terrorism scenarios.
The capability demonstration capped off with a passing exercise– an activity which highlights communications and coordination– of participating vessels.
“The series of lectures and exchange of information leading up to the simulation exercise and capability demonstration proved to be instrumental in laying the groundwork of a successful mission accomplishment and goal realization of our respective organizations,” said NFEM and Joint Task Force Seahawk commander Commodore Carlos Sabarre.
A similar inter-agency exercise was carried out by NFEM in Davao Gulf last June.
