The Philippine Navy is readying for a huge military exercise with neighboring countries designed to enhance centrality, interoperability, and cooperation toward a strong and peaceful Southeast Asian region.

PN Chief of Naval Staff, Commodore Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, said the Navy recently conducted a three-day initial planning conference from 21 to 23 September for the second Association of Southeast Asian Nations multilateral naval exercise set for next year.

The planning conference was attended by representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam aimed at developing a basic training outline that will be used as a naval exercise guide to advancing interoperability and seamless execution among ASEAN naval forces.

Ezpeleta lauded the positive turnout and solid commitment of foreign delegates during the planning conference as well as manifesting their continued support for "fruitful collaboration."

"The waters that surround our countries unite us as a regional community, sharing common interests and concerns.

Hence, cooperation and mutual understanding are critical for us to ensure that our role as protectors of the seas and the common good are magnified," he said.

The concept of multilateral exercises was introduced by the Royal Thai Navy during the 8th ANCM in 2014. The inaugural exercise was held in 2017.

The AMNEX, which was first-ever conducted from 13 to 22 November 2017 in Thailand, is aimed at addressing common regional maritime challenges through interoperability, responsiveness, and readiness.

The PN is likewise set to host the 17th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting in April next year.