Phl Navy joining war games in Australia

MANILA, Philippines - Reaching out beyond the country’s shores, the Philippine Navy is joining this year’s multilateral naval war games to be held in an exercise area in northern Australia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 12.

Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo, acting director of Naval Public Affairs, said the navies of Japan, New Zealand and Pakistan will also join the naval exercises dubbed KAKADU 2014.

Bangladish, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vanuatu, South Korea and India will also send in their respective personnel as observers to the war games, Domingo added.

A send-off ceremony for the departing Navy personnel aboard a Philippine Navy ship will be held at Riviera Wharf, Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City on Aug. 17.

Long-time defense and military relations between the Philippines and Australia were further bolstered with the Philippine Senate’s ratification of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) two years ago.

The ratification of the SOVFA came in the wake of rising tensions between the Philippines and China over a territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.