Manila Bulletin, Friday, December 10, 2010
CAMP LAPU-LAPU, Cebu City, Philippines — The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines, Her Excellency, Malai Majah Haji Yussof, along with officers of the Royal Brunei Navy paid a courtesy visit to Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, Commander, Central Command earlier this week at the start of the bilateral maritime training activity between the Philippine Navy and Royal Brunei Navy.
The Royal Brunei Navy is here for a six-day bilateral training exercises with the Philippine Navy in Cebu, from December 6 to 12.
Around 130 uniformed personnel of the Philippine Navy are expected to participate in the six-day training exercise together with some 56 officers and men of the Royal Brunei Navy.
Said bilateral maritime training exercise between the navies of the two countries is conducted every two years to enhance both their capabilities in maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
In an interview, Ensign Joseph Ison, Public Information Officer of the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN), said that this year, the training will be focused largely on cross training.
Ison added that there will also be an exchange of some of the best practices from both navies. “We are expected to learn from them even as we share with them our best practices and vice versa,” he said.
Moreover, the six-day training will also include a series of lectures and demonstrations and, on the last, day, debriefing sessions will be held and plaques exchanged between members of both naval forces.
The lectures will touch on Disaster Response at Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operation and Visit Board Search and Seizure. (Phoebe Jen Indino)
