Malaysian Navy men here for patrol exercise

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Sailors of the Malaysian Royal Navy arrived here yesterday on board three ships to take part in the annual joint border patrol exercise with the Philippine Navy, an official said.

Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Combined, said the joint exercise, dubbed as PHILMAL XII-B, is the second this year.

The Malaysian Royal Navy hosted the first weeklong exercise.

He said PHILMAL XII-B will kick off in this port city and be concluded in Malaysia.

Marayag said the joint border patrol exercise has strengthened the resolve of both countries to protect their borders against terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Meanwhile, Marayag said they have also conducted a regional consultative forum to improve coordination among agencies handling the security in this southern part of the country.

Marayag said these government agencies play a vital role in guarding against illegal fishing, migration, and terror threats.

He said keeping watch over the country’s coastlines is not the sole responsibility of the Philippine Navy but the total effort of various agencies.