PH, Indonesia to start joint maritime patrols Thursday

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 2): PH, Indonesia to start joint maritime patrols Thursday

As part of efforts to ensure security within territorial waters, the Philippines and Indonesia will start conducting joint maritime patrols on Thursday.

In a statement, the Eastern Mindanao Command said the coordinated patrols will commence with a send off ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Sasa Wharf, Davao City.

Prior to this, Indonesian delegates will arrive in the country on Monday at 8:30 a.m. morning at Sasa Wharf, Davao City and they will be accorded with an arrival ceremony by the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.

The measure intends to "strengthen the security of the Davao Gulf and the common boundary of the two countries in the southern part of the Philippines, particularly along the Celebes Sea and enhance the inter-operability of the two countries in maritime patrol."

Military medical personnel aboard the patrolling vessels, in partnership with the municipal government of Balut Island, Sarangani, will also conduct a medical mission in a stopover in the town on Friday.

The coordinated patrol will end on July 12 in a closing ceremony in Manado, Indonesia.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/998453