Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Philippine Navy eyes training exercises with Canada

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): Philippine Navy eyes training exercises with Canada 

In line with its efforts to further professionalize its ranks and improve skills, the Philippine Navy (PN) announced Wednesday the possible conduct of training exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, Navy spokesperson, said Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, Neil Reeder, has proposed this possibility.

“It was Ambassador Reeder who made the offer...There’s a possibility that we’ll be having exercises in the future...The gateway is now open for training and exercises,” he said.

The two Navies have an existing memorandum of understanding for the conduct of naval exercises signed in 2001 but no training exercise has taken place since.

“We accepted it (Reeder’s offer) because it will give us a chance to learn their tactics, techniques and procedures...They will also learn from us,” Fabic pointed out.

Reeder paid a visit to Navy headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Manila last Tuesday.

He was received by PN flag-officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano.

Reeder was accompanied by Non-Resident Canadian Defense Attaché to the Philippines, Col. Michel Latouche, and Cmdr. Daniel Charlebois, the commanding officer of Her Majesty Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina which arrived at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila Saturday for a port visit until February 5.

The visit aims to promote stronger military ties and cooperation between the PN and Royal Canadian Navy and strengthen the diplomatic relation between the two countries.

Reeder expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm in working with the PN especially in the field of defense cooperation.

He assured Alano that they will continue to seek ways on how they can assist and help the PN in its capability and capacity upgrade.

Reeder also said that they are looking into the possibilities of forging a training collaboration to promote interoperability between the two Navies.

In February last year, HMCS Regina also docked in Manila for a goodwill visit and conducted several activities such as professional exchanges and goodwill games with their PN counterparts.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612823

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