Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. announced on Monday that the Philippine Navy’s first-ever joint patrol with the Indian Navy is concluding successfully. The joint activity began on Sunday and was wrapping up at the time of the report.
“So far, maganda ang results (the results are good). We have met our objectives for the exercise,” Brawner stated in a chance interview.
In a statement on August 1, Brawner highlighted that this “first of its kind” joint patrol with the Indian Navy was conducted in the West Philippine Sea. He noted, “Wala tayong na-experience na (We did not experience) untoward incidents,” indicating that the operation proceeded smoothly.
While several Chinese vessels reportedly “shadowed” the joint patrol, Brawner mentioned that this was anticipated and did not pose any issues.
Three ships from the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet arrived in Manila last week for a port visit, including the guided-missile destroyer INS Mysore (D-60), the anti-submarine corvette INS Kiltan (P-30), and the naval tanker INS Shakti (A-57).
On the same day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for India for a five-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
