RP-Malaysia naval exercise to focus on terrorism, sea crimes

MANILA, Philippines – This year’s joint RP-Malaysia naval exercises, which opened yesterday, will focus on terrorism and other sea crimes, a Navy official reported.

Philippine Navy Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Petronilo Magno said the 10-day exercises dubbed MALPHI-LAUT 11/08, which will be held in various areas in Malaysia, aim to enhance the inter-operability of the two navies in efforts to fight crimes that take place across national borders.

Magno said the joint exercises will involve at least 300 Filipino and Malaysian troops, six warships and two reconnaissance planes.

Participating Philippine Navy ships are the BRP Artemio Ricarte, BRP Nicolas Mahusay and BRP Bonny Serrano while Malaysia has the KD Kedah, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil and KD Pari.

The exercises are scheduled to take place in the waters of Sabah and would end in Labuan, Malaysia on April 17.

Magno said both naval forces have continued cooperation in dealing with crimes such as drug trafficking, hijacking, illegal migration, piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, theft of marine resources and marine pollution.

“Malaysia has been the Philippine Navy’s strong partner in the development of national security, since we share common borders where transnational crimes are becoming the modern trend among terrorist groups and pirates,” Magno said.

The Royal Malaysian Navy hosts this year’s joint naval exercises, which will involve sea operations and live fire exercises.