PHL Navy contingent sails for ASEAN-China maritime exercise

The Philippine Navy sent a 200-strong contingent off to China on Wednesday to participate in the first-ever ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise (ACMEX) 2018 in Zhanjiang.

According to Commander Jonathan Zata, director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, the Navy's participation in the exercise scheduled October 21 until October 28 conveys the fleet’s commitment in promoting multilateral cooperation.

The Navy said the ACMEX aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN member-state navies and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy "focusing on maritime safety and search and rescue at sea with emphasis on the use of Code of Unplanned Encounter at Sea." 

Landing ship BRP Dagupan City (LS551), led by Commander Sherwin Respeto at Captain, left the Salvo Pier in Sangley Point, Cavite City on Wednesday with a ceremony led by Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Danilo Rodelas.

The 200-man contingent is expected to arrive in China on October 20.

It was the latest naval contingent sent off by the Philippine Navy, following the country's participation in multilateral naval exercises in Indonesia, Hawaii, Australia and recent goodwill visits in Russia and South Korea. — Margaret Claire Layug/RSJ, GMA News