The Royal Brunei Navy and the Philippine Navy will be conducting a combined naval exercise code-named Maritime Training Activity (MTA) SEAGULL 05/12 on 19 - 25 November 2012. This is the fifth in the series of bilateral engagements between both navies, which is held bi-annually. The Royal Brunei Navy will be host to this year's event and all military activities will be conducted in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
This training activity aims to strengthen bilateral security relationship and cooperation as well as to enhance interoperability between the two navies, promote mutual understanding and to bolster the existing long-standing relationship among the officers and men of both navies.
This year, two ships from the Royal Brunei Navy. KDB SYAFAAT and KDB AFIAT, will be joined by two patrol ships from the Philippine Navy namely BRP ARTEMIO RICARTE (PS-37) and BRP GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ (PS-38). The exercise will involve almost 150 personnel from both navies.
This morning, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Halim bin Hj Mohd Hanifah received a call from the Commander of Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez. Present during the Call was the Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines, His Excellency Nestor Z. Ochoa, Commander Leofilo G. Pulmano (DCTG 12.1), and both Philippine Patrol Ships' Commanding Officers.
Upon completion of the Call, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy presided over the Opening Ceremony with the Commander of Philippine Fleet in attendance.