INDONESIA AND the Philippines are holding the first joint Maritime Training Activity (MTA) this week involving naval forces to strengthen security measures in shared maritime borders. “The activity is Navy-to-Navy and it is more on military exercise compared to CORPAT- PHILINDO, which includes other civilian agencies from both countries,” Commodore Antonio C. Palces, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) commander, said during Monday’s opening ceremony at the Naval Station Felix in Davao City. CORPAT-PHILINDO is the annual coordinated patrol exercises of the two countries. The MTA involves member of NFEM and the Indonesian Second Fleet Command. Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) head, said the activities include naval doctrine discussion and open sea drills and maneuvers. “It is imperative for us to keep up with the ever-changing maritime security environment and develop more robust approaches in addressing maritime security,” Mr. Santos said. Four naval ships will be used during the exercises, the Philippines’ BRP Apolinario Mabini and BRP Liberato Picar, and Indonesia’s KRI Layang and KRI Pandarong.

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