Navy sends contingent for Indonesia drill

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Philippine Navy (PN) has sent its contingent for the upcoming 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, scheduled from 16  to 22 February.

According to Brigadier General Edwin Amadar PN(M), vice commander, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) will serve as the key surface component for the MNEK 2025. The ship departed the country in a send-off ceremony on 8 February for Naval Task Group 84.

Amadar was accompanied by Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe PN, commander of the Philippine Fleet, and Captain Glenn Dizon PN (GSC), Deputy Commander for Fleet Operations of the Fleet-Marine Ready Force.

Captain Malone Agudelo PN(GSC), leads Naval Task Group 84, while BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) is under the command of Commander Johanns Cruzada PN. The NTG 84 is composed of 175 personnel from the different PN units. 

Captain Dizon PN(GSC) also acts as the Exercise Director for the PN Contingent for the said naval exercise.

MNEK 2025 is set to feature a wide range of activities that is grouped into three, the Fleet Activity, Maritime Hospitality and Community Relations. The Fleet Activity features the International Fleet Review, Subject Matter Expertise Exchange and Sea Phase.

Maritime Hospitality includes the International Maritime Security Symposium and bilateral meetings.

The Community Relations include the Medical Civic Action Program, Baby Turtle Release, Coral Planting and Taekwondo Tournament.

MNEK is a biennial multilateral naval exercise participated by 31 navies. The purpose of the exercise is to enhance cooperation with participating navies in building a common understanding of humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. It also aims to maintain and enhance good diplomatic relations and rapport with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific navies through naval diplomacy.