Phl, Australia hold naval games

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and Australia are conducting naval war games in Davao Gulf to enhance interoperability and improve their respective border protection capabilities.

Dubbed “Exercise Lumbas,” the joint war exercises are being held under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao spokesman Lt. Junior Grade Michael Lumbis.

“Exercise Lumbas is a joint Philippine Navy and Royal Australian Navy undertaking being conducted in various parts of the country on a yearly basis under the auspices of Philippine-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA),” he said.

SOVFA is a defense agreement signed in 2007 in Canberra and ratified by the Philippine Senate after five years.

Lumbis said the joint naval war games started on Sept. 29 and will end on Oct. 11.

The Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are also participating in theexercise.

The Navy has deployed two of its warships while Australia sent its 35-meter patrol ship with 30 sailors.

Last month, the Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz took part in the biennial naval war games dubbed KAKADU 2014 hosted by the Australian government in the waters of Darwin.