Navy reservists join mobilization exercise

More than 200 Philippine Navy reservists are training for deployment “in preparation for any exigencies” in the province of Cagayan, in the country’s northeastern tip.

The four-day mobilization exercise led by the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) involving 282 sailors and marine reserves will run until Saturday. An opening ceremony led by Joint Task Force Karagatan Commodore Francisco Tagamolila was held at Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana town—one of the new sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement—where the US military has been given access.

The drills will test the Navy’s ability to position its reservists in case of emergencies. For this year’s exercise, the reservists would simulate a response to a “damaging” earthquake that struck the province, the NFNL said.

Based on the scenario, the tremor supposedly left thousands of houses destroyed and residents short of food and water. Thousands were trapped in the debris and many of the injured needed immediate medical treatment.

The earthquake also resulted in an increase in “illegal activities” by lawless armed groups in the sea lanes of Claveria town while law enforcement units were preoccupied with disaster response operations. The bandits were deemed “a threat group terrorizing” the residents of Santa Ana and rescue efforts were needed.

The mobilization will test the Navy reserves’ “responsive organizational structures, sound administration, sustainable logistics and relevant training,” the NFNL said.

The reservists will undergo a series of activities and training, including lectures on first aid/life support, cybersecurity, basic radio communication and archipelagic coastal defense. A tabletop exercise and rehearsals will also be conducted, the NFNL said.

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