Navy to hold capability demonstration

MANILA, Philippines - The Navy will hold a capability demonstration on its anniversary rites today in the effort to show President Aquino what it would need to secure the country’s maritime domain.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the Navy’s Civil-Military Operations Group, said the demonstration is part of efforts to attain sustainability in the conduct of maritime operations.

“It will be the opportunity to bring to the attention of the President what other mission essential capabilities the naval forces need,” Arevalo said. 

“The capability demo will show to the President the connectivity of the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila with its operating units in the field,” he added.

Arevalo declined to elaborate on the capability demonstration, saying he was not supposed to reveal operational matters.

“Disclosing it will jeopardize naval operations. Suffice it to say that will enhance and sustain our conduct of maritime operations,” he said.

The Navy will celebrate its 116th anniversary today in Palawan, the province nearest to the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

The event will be held at the Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Ulugan Bay, Puerto Princesa City, a departure from the traditional holding of Navy anniversary rites in Manila and Cavite.