Davao City (CNN Philippines, July 6) — The Philippines and Indonesia officially started a one-week coordinated patrol from Davao to Manado, Indonesia – with BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF16) and KRI Kerapu (812) LCDR Ramli Arif TNI leaving the Sasa Wharf at around 9 a.m., Thursday.
Lt. James Reyes, spokesman of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, said while en route, the ships would be conducting simulation exercises like the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) wherein navy personnel inspect suspicious vessels.
Reyes said the navy personnel were also equipped to handle any threat while on patrol.
Dubbed as “CORPAT PHILINDO XXXI-17,” the joint patrol is aimed to strengthen security at the Davao Gulf and at the common boundary of the two countries in the southern part of the Philippines, particularly along the Celebes Sea.
Tomorrow, the two navies will conduct a medical mission during a stopover at Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental with the participation of the local government unit.
The joint patrol is set to end in Manado on July 12.
READ: PH-Indonesia to conduct sea patrols
