Navy completes sea phase of drills

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Philippine Navy (PN) has completed the “Sea Phase” of the unified in-service exercises Pagbubuklod, Pagsasama, and Pagsisikap here on Thursday.

According to the PN, the activity ran from 29 November to 5 December in various areas within the respective vicinity of Manila Bay, NOB Subic, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, Naval Forces Central and Naval Forces West.

The sea phase showcased operational capabilities with extensive training operations that utilized PN assets and personnel, including frigates, landing docks, fast attack interdiction crafts, unmanned aerial systems, as well as the Marine Battalion Landing Team, Naval Construction Brigade and PN reservists.

The PN cited that participating units carried out a variety of intricate maneuvers and live-fire drills, highlighting tactical precision and the operational synergy of different naval capabilities.

“Key areas of focus encompassed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, Over-the-Horizon Targeting, Swarming Tactics and Chokepoint Defense, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Electronic Warfare, Replenishment-At-Sea Approaches, GUNNEX, Anti-Air Warfare, Mine Warfare and Submarine Warfare,” the PN cited.

The exercises evaluated the fleet’s capacity to respond adeptly to a range of maritime threats, both conventional and asymmetric in nature.