Joint marine exercises in Cebu starts

CEBU - The five-day joint marine training exercise dubbed as “Exercise Pagsisikap 2008” undertaken by the Naval Forces Central, Philippine Fleet and the Philippine Marine Corps formally started yesterday.

Major General Ben Dolorfino, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, said the joint exercises are aimed to test and evaluate the effectiveness and operational readiness of the Fleet-Marine concept of the Philippine Navy.

Dolorfino said there is a need to evaluate the capability of the marine personnel and other operating units in the sea as a battle ground in order to properly come up with appropriate measures to address the insurgency problem in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

“The exercise aims to synergize the operational requirements and training capabilities of the various Philippine Navy support units to support special operation mission,” Dolorfino said.

Exercise director Navy Captain Honorio Robert Balanon. Jr., commander of Naval Forces Central, said the exercises would include pre-exercise preparation, the establishment of a Fleet-Marine Planning Staff, Field Training Exercise, and would give focus on Fleet-Marine Operations and Community Relations activities.

The three floating assets of the Philippine Navy include BRP Dagupan City, BRP Bienvenido Salting and BRP Abraham Campo. The two air assets are the Philippine Navy Islander and the UHi Huey Helicopter.

The exercises are being held at the waters off Argao town with a prior permission from the town’s officials and residents. – Jose P. Sollano/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)