RP, China to face off in Asean naval drill

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 21): RP, China to face off in Asean naval drill

Amid tension over disputed territories, navies from the Philippines, China and the United States will be getting together as participants in a multi-lateral naval exercise among member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and other guest-countries in Indonesia next week.

The Philippine Navy will be sending BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15), along with its 160 crew members, to join, for the first time, the Komodo 2014, a multi-lateral naval exercise which will be held on March 28 to April 3 along the waters of Indonesia.

Cpt. Carlo Bubuli, public affairs officer of the Fleet-Marine Ready Force, said that this is the first time that the Philippine Navy will be participating in Komodo.

This is the first the first time that the multilateral naval exercises will be held with 16 navies from various countries participating.

Bubuli said the exercises aimed at promoting “naval diplomacy, camaraderie and foster goodwill among Asean and Asean Plus navies.”

Aside from the navies of the 10 member-states of the Asean, other participating navies are the US, China, Russia, Australia, India, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.

With the theme “Cooperation for Stability,” Bubuli said that Komod 2014 will be focused on humanitarian mission.

“(It) aims to enhance regional and international capabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations among Asean and Asean Plus navies,” Bubuli said.

The participating PN personnel will be sent off on Saturday in Subic, Zambales.

Bubuli said that after the naval exercise, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be making a port call in Brunei Darussalam from April 5 to 8.

The multilateral naval exercise will be held amid the growing tension between the Philippines and China over the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Only recently, China blocked re-provision mission for Philippine Navy troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal in Palawan, sparking renewed tension between Manila and Beijing. China even warned the Philippines of consequences of continued stay at Ayungin Shoal, located approximately 105 nautical miles from Palawan.

Philippine authorities were forced to drop supplies for the troops and vowed to continue re-provision mission despite China’s warning.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/rp-china-to-face-off-in-asean-naval-drill