Navy assistance

By PIA

Manila Bulletin, Tuesday, August 9, 2011

DAVAO CITY(PIA)- Officers and enlisted personnel from the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao joined the blood letting activity held at the Seaman's Hospital in Agdao, this city. The Navy personnel donated blood in support to the campaign for dengue awareness program. The donated blood units will be given to dengue patients from all over the region who need blood transfusion. The Rotary Club of Waling-waling - Davao headed by Dr Mae G. Dolendo hosted the blood letting activity dubbed "Saling Dugo, Saling Buhay"

PN-US SEACAT exercise 2011

Zamboanga Today, Friday, June 24, 2011

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao participated in the conduct of PN-USN exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT 2011) together with other Naval Forces and Philippine Navy units in Mindanao area of operation from 14-24 June 2011 in the vicinity of Sulu Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula area of responsibility.

The purpose of the SEACAT 2011 training exercise is to give equal opportunity to both nations’ navies in dealing with maritime cooperation at sea. The exercise SEACAT is a scenario driven fleet training activity which focuses on real time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and eventual conduct of actual vessel board search and seizure (VBSS) to the maritime contact of interest (COI). For this year, the exercise was conducted at the AORs of Naval Forces West, (NFW), Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), and Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) respectively. The activity also involved PN surface, air and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking, and boarding of the contact of interest (The USS Safeguard Ship). One maritime Interdiction operations (MIO) scenario was conducted at each Naval Forces area of operation. The Naval Task Force 61 under NFWM took part in the PN-USN exercise SEACAT2011 in the vicinity of NFWM AOR utilizing PN assets particularly PG 117, PG390, DF333 and Naval Special Operation Unit 6 personnel (SEAL Teams) upon arrival of the Contact of Interest (COI)at the designated boarding area specifically in Basilan Strait on 22 June 2011. Boarding opportunity during the exercise was conducted by one (1) SEAL team aboard their two (2) 11- meters (RHIBS) with PG390 as support vessel in the said scenario.Likewise, Coast Watch South Center and all available CWS stations of all Naval Forces West, Western Mindanao and Eastern Mindanaowere utilized in order to test their capabilities in surveillance, tracking, and communications and operations activities. The end state of the exercise SEACAT 2011 is to promote regional coordination, combined inter-operability and also enhance the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) capabilities in its mandate to fight global terrorism, transnational crimes, and other maritime treats in the region as well. The exercise SEACAT 2011 was culminated after the completion of the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) and upon signal from NFWM Exercise Battle Staff aboard Naval Forces Western Mindanao Operation Center.

zamboangatoday.ph

Naval Forces Western Mindanao joins 6-nation exercise

Mindanews, Thursday, June 16, 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/15 June) – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao is participating in the 10-day annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) that kicked off Tuesday, June 14.

A Philippine Navy official said the unit forms part of the Philippine contingent that joined the navy forces from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States Navy in the combined exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and share best practices.

Codenamed SEACAT 2011, it is being held in Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea and will end on Friday, June 24.

SEACAT 2011 exercise director Navy Captain Sebastian Pan said the other Philippine Navy contingents are from the Naval Forces West and Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.

Pan said they will participate together with the U.S. Navy in a scenario-driven fleet training exercise against terrorism, transnational crimes and other maritime threats which focuses on real time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and eventual conduct of Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) to the maritime Contact of Interest (COI).

“This activity will involve surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking, and boarding of the COI from the different participating navies within their respective maritime territories,” Pan said in a statement.

He said three ships from the NFWM, NFEM and NFW commands are participating in this year’s SEACAT 2011 exercise.

As practiced in the yearly SEACAT, Pan said that several ships from each participating Southeast Asian navy will join the training with the one U.S. Navy ship, USS Safeguard, designated as the COI for the participating Southeast Asian navies.

He said one maritime interdiction operations scenario with boarding opportunity will be conducted at the Sulu and Mindanao Seas.

He said the SEACAT exercise is a yearly combined exercise conducted at vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia to ensure control of vital sea lanes from terrorists, poachers, and transnational lawless elements.

“This exercise aims to promote regional coordination, information sharing and interoperability in a multilateral environment,” Pan said.

With this exercise, Pan said the Philippine Navy will be able to enhance regional coordination, information sharing, and combined inter-operability capability with participating navies in the region, test its personnel and naval assets operational readiness and ultimately, improve the defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

mindanews.com

Naval drill magpapatibay s arelasyon ng mga bansang umaangkin sa Sparatlys

Taliba, Thursday, June 16, 2011

NANINIWALA ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na lalo pang lalakas ang ugnayan ng mga bansang sangkot sa West Philippine sea issue sa nagpapatuloy na combinednaval exercise sa bahagi ng Malacca strait, Sulu Sea at Celebes Sea.

Sa pahayag ni Exercise Director, Philippine Navy Captain Sebastian Pan, target umano ng 10-day Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) ay ang pagpapatibay ng regional coordination, information sharing at inter-operability capability ng mga participating navies sa rehiyon. Kabilang sa mga kalahok sa ensayo na nagsimula kahapon ay Pilipinas, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia at Thailand.

Ang mga nabanggit na bansa ay kabilang sa mga claimant-states sa pinag-aagawang teritoryo sa Spratly Islands.

Sa panig ng Pilipinas, kabilang sa mga kalahok sa training ay ang tatlong barko mula sa Naval Forces West (NFW) Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) at Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

"This activity will involve surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking nd boarding of the center of interest from the different participating navies within their respective maritime territories," pahayag ng opisyal.

Maliban sa nabanggit na mga bansa, kalahok din sa taunang naval training ang puwersang ng United States Navy.

Southeast Asian, US naval forces conduct joint training exercises

By Abigail Kwok

Interaksyon, Wednesday, June 15, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Naval forces from various Southeast Asian countries and the United States are holding joint combined exercises in a bid to improve interoperability and share best practices.

The Philippine Navy has joined the respective navy forces of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States for the annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercises that will be held from June 14 to 24 in the Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. In a statement Tuesday, the Philippine Navy said its units from the Naval Forces West (NFW), Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), and Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) will participate in scenario-driven fleet training exercises against terrorism, transnational crimes and other maritime threats.“Three ships from the three Naval forces of the Philippine Navy will participate in this year’s exercise,” said Navy Captain Sebastian Pan.SEACAT is a yearly combined exercise conducted along vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia to ensure their control from terrorists, poachers, and transnational lawless elements."With this training, the Philippine Navy will be able to enhance regional coordination, information sharing, and combined inter-operability capability with participating navies in the region, test its personnel and naval assets' operational readiness and ultimately, improve the defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," the Philippine Navy said.

interaksyon.com

Navy, Marine show strength in exercise

By Ben O Tesiorna

Sunstar Davao, Friday, 28 January 2011

PANTUKAN, Compostela Valley -- A military exercise conducted by the Philippine Navy in the idyllic coastal Barangay of Kingking here drew more than a thousand spectators as the military showcased their latest sea vessels as well as the capability of the Marine soldiers and the elite Navy Seals.

Commodore Philip Cacayan of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) said the Fleet-Marine exercise dubbed as "Exercise Pagsisikap 11" is designed to test, evaluate and enhance the capability of their units in conducting Fleet-Marine operations.

Thursday's exercise was participated in by a Navy patrol ship, two patrol gunboats, two multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), Navy Seals with fast patrol boats and a company from the 1st Marine Brigade.

A Navy Islander aircraft and a Huey helicopter were also utilized during the military exercise.

The MPACs were recently bought by the Philippine Navy at an estimated value of P75 million each. They presently have three MPACs and three more are scheduled for delivery thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization program.

MPACs is expected to boost the Navy's special operations and in other emergency situations. It will also enhance the Navy's conduct of maritime operations.

MPAC can transport limited number of personnel and equipment at a high speed of 40 knots and can be deployed to areas during emergencies to deliver the much-needed services to far-flung areas around the country.

Cacayan said the coastal town of Pantukan was chosen as the ideal site for their exercise because of its proximity to the NFEM headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.

"Compostela Valley is also one of the provinces, which has not been visited by the Navy before so we have chosen that area to let the local residents know that they have a Navy that can help them in their quest for peace and development in their area," Cacayan said.

An American mining firm is also set to operate in the mountainous area of Pantukan this year fuelling speculations that the military exercise could be a show of force to assure the American company of the security of their operations in the area.

Militant organizations also claimed that American military personnel are involved in the naval exercise. Commodore Cacayan denied this though saying that the exercise was initially scheduled in 2010 but due to their numerous activities they moved it to January 27, 2011.

Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, chief of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, meanwhile congratulated the Philippine Navy for their exemplary show of wares and skills.

"It's the best exercise I have seen for many years. A clear manifestation that the Navy and the Marines can secure use anytime of the day," Tabaquero said.

Businessman and 705th Squadron Naval Reserve Command Capt. Marfenio Tan also expressed satisfaction on the capability of the Philippine Navy. He said they will also be conducting another exercise in General Santos dubbed as "Exercise Sikat."

The local government of Pantukan, led by Mayor Tok Sarenas was also present to witness the naval exercise. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy also sent his gratitude to the Philippine Navy for choosing his province as the venue of the exercise.

Navy to conduct Fleet Exercise

Sunstar, Wednesday, 26 January 2011

The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Command will conduct a Fleet-Marine Exercise this week to enhance their troop capability.

Dubbed as "Exercise Pagsisikap 2011", in an opening ceremony Tuesday at Naval Station Felix Apolinario Panacan, this city, Commodore Philip L. Cacayan, Commander of NFEM, said the exercise has been conceptualized to enhance the fleet-marine amphibious capability of NFEM in support to the internal security operations of Eastern Mindanao Command.

Cacayan said the exercise aims to test and evaluate the "interoperability of fleet and marine units" with other services operating in a maritime environment against enemy threats.

Cacayan added that the exercise would also show people that the navy is capable enough and ready to serve the public in their best way.

Major General Rustico Guerrero, Commandant of Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), also assured the public in doing their best in training its men, as keeping their capabilities and abilities to provide security on the community.

Guerrero said as part of the contribution of the PMC, the corps will also establish a Warfighting and Lessons Learned Center this year, which will analyze all after battle and operation reports accumulated throughout its service.

Cacayan said the exercise will be compose of staff exercise, series of at sea serials, tactical maneuvers, maritime surveillance exercise, visit board search and seizure of a Philippine Navy auxiliary reserve unit vessel, amphibious raid, multi-purpose assault craft capability demonstration, and fleet-marine review.

"We have different scenario in our exercise in which dito masusubukan kung ano yung reaction ng ating mga sundalo, sailors, and marines," Guerrero said.

Naval exercise draws thousands in Pantukan

By: Ben O. Tesiorna
CNN iReport, Thursday, 27 January 2011

PANTUKAN, Compostela Valley – A military exercise of the Philippine Navy held in this idyllic coastal barangay of Kingking drew more than a thousand spectators as the military showcased their latest sea vessels as well as the capability of their Marine soldiers and the elite Navy Seals.

Commodore Philip Cacayan of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao said the Fleet-Marine exercise dubbed as Exercise Pagsisikap 11 is designed to test, evaluate and enhance the capability of their units in conducting Fleet-Marine operations.

Thursday’s exercise was participated in by a Navy patrol ship, two patrol gunboats, two multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), Navy Seals with fast patrol boats and company from the 1^st Marine Brigade. A Navy Islander aircraft and a Huey helicopter were also utilized during the military exercise.

The MPACs were recently bought by the Philippine Navy at an estimated value of P75 million each. They presently have three MPACs and three more are scheduled to be bought thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.

MPACs is expected to boost the Navy’s special operations and in other emergency situations. It will also enhance the Navy’s conduct of maritime operations. MPAC can transport limited number of personnel and equipment at a high speed of 40 knots and can be deployed to areas during emergencies to deliver the much-needed services to far-flung areas around the country.

Commodore Cacayan said the coastal town of Pantukan was chosen as the ideal site for their exercise because of its proximity to the NFEM headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.

“Compostela Valley is also one of the provinces which has not been visited by the Navy before so we have chosen that area to let the local residents know that they have a Navy that can help them in their quest for peace and development in their area,” Cacayan said.

An American mining firm is also set to operate in the mountainous area of Pantukan this year fuelling speculations that the military exercise could be a show of force to assure the American company of the security of their operations in the area.

Militant organizations also claimed that American military personnel are involved in the naval exercise. Commodore Cacayan denied this though saying that the exercise was initially scheduled in 2010 but due to their numerous activities they moved it to January 27, 2011.

AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero meanwhile congratulated the Philippine Navy for their exemplary show of wares and skills.

“It’s the best exercise I have seen for many years. A clear manifestation that the Navy and the Marines can secure use anytime of the day,” Tabaquero said.

Businessman and 705^th Squadron Naval Reserve Command Capt. Marfinio Tan also expressed satisfaction on the capability of the Philippine Navy. He said they will also be conducting another exercise in General Santos dubbed as Exercise Sikat.

The local government of Pantukan led by Mayor Tok Sarenas was also present to witness the naval exercise. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy also sent his gratitude to the Philippine Navy for choosing his province as the venue of their military exercise. BOT

More Marines fielded in Cotabato

By: John Unson

The Philippine Star, Friday, 12 November 2010

COTABATO CITY – Four more companies of Marines arrived yesterday to help the local police fight kidnappers and extortionists whose attacks in recent months have stifled the city’s economy.

The Marines, who belong to the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 (MBLT-7), were personally endorsed to Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. by Commodore Philip Lacayan, commander of the Naval Forces in Eastern Mindanao, during simple rites at the Polloc port in Parang, Maguindanao.

The Marines were brought by a Navy boat from Basilan, where they spent almost four years of peacekeeping missions.

“We ought to thank President Aquino for having listened to the clamors of residents of Cotabato City, including the business and religious communities, for him to send the Marines,” Guiani said.

The MBLT-7 members are taking over all security installations here of the Army’s anti-crime Task Force Tugis, an erstwhile unit of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Datu Odin, Maguindanao.

Task Force Tugis was disbanded last month and re-organized into a new humanitarian group dubbed Task Force Bigkis Lahi.