Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao News August 2018

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Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao Archived News
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

1 million residents benefit from ARMM program

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY – Some one million residents from 553 barangays across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have benefited from projects implemented under the ARMM’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS) program.

Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS program manager, said that since the regional government started implementing the program in 2014, it has so far completed 1,062 of the 1,713 infrastructure projects, including the serving of 374 of 563 targeted cooperatives, and building of 257 of 530 barangay halls.

“Projects for 2018 are ongoing and we hope to implement all of these before the transition to the new Bangsamoro entity,” Upham said during a press briefing here Tuesday.

Unfinished projects since 2014 would be finished within this year, Upahm said, adding that they are currently in their 92 percent of physical accomplishment of the ventures.

Other ARMM-HELPS projects include the provision of essential medicine in barangays, construction of barangay birthing facilities and health stations, water and sanitation projects, construction of community learning centers, support to standard madrasah development program, and delivery of basic livelihood and enterprising projects, among others.

Since 2014, the ARMM has earmarked PHP6.2 billion for the high-impact projects in its component provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur, including the cities of therein of Marawi and Lamitan.

Upahm said the ARMM has 2, 490 barangays and that barangay projects beyond 2018 would eventually be handled by the Bangsamoro entity.

ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative established to achieve a more coordinated and focused intervention at the barangay level and is regarded as the centerpiece of the regional administration under Governor Mujiv Hataman.

“Our goal is to make our constituents in the region feel that there is a government ready to attend to their needs anytime,” the governor said in a statement.

ARMM flagship program builds progressive communities

(Desk Man, Bureau of Public Information)

COTABATO CITY – With efforts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to build empowered communities, about a million people from 553 barangay or villages have received various projects through the region’s flagship program dubbed ARMM’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy (ARMM-HELPS).

Since the program’s implementation in 2014, the regional government has earmarked P6.2 billion for high-impact projects. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman reiterated that the regional government continues to make greater progress in improving the quality of the peoples’ lives, improve their living environment, and create more development opportunities in beneficiary communities.

Official data from ARMM-HELPS showed a total of 1,062 of 1,713 infrastructure projects targeted for construction were completed; 374 of 563 cooperatives were served, and 257 of 530 barangay halls were built. “Projects for 2018 are on-going and we hope to implement all of these before the transition to the new Bangsamoro entity,” Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS program manager said.

ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative of the regional government and is regarded as the centerpiece of the Hataman administration. It was established to achieve a more coordinated and focused intervention at the barangay level and eventually to create maximum impact of services delivered to the community.

Projects include provision of essential medicines, setting up of birthing facilities, construction of barangay health stations and water and sanitation projects, construction of community learning centers, support to standard madrasah development program, and delivery of basic livelihood and enterprising projects, among others.

Gov. Hataman said he is confident that before the new Bangsamoro political entity comes in, the ARMM government has already helped improve the lives of at least a million Bangsamoro people and has strengthened local governance in the region.

“Ito naman talaga ang goal natin na maramdaman ng mga kababayan natin na may gobyernong handang tumulong sa kanila,” Gov. Hataman said.

Projects that have not been completed since 2014 will be finished within this year, said Upahm.

ARMM housing project marks new beginning for Marawi IDPs

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

SAGUIARAN, Lanao del Sur, August 13 (PIA)--Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman led the turnover ceremony of a 36-unit housing project for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Lumbaca Toros, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur on August 10. Among the recipients of the housing project are Daud Radia, 65, and his wife Inday, 62.

Before the Marawi siege last year, Daud was a driver, while Inday worked as a tailor. “Hindi kami mayaman, pero noon, mayroon kaming sariling bahay (We were not rich before but we had our own house),” Inday said.

After the displacement brought by the siege, the couple with their four children, found refuge in a small lot in Lumbaca Toros, an area where a tent city was built for displaced families.

Being highly dependent on relief goods provided by the government and without a stable job, the 62-year old driver could no longer work since his license has expired and he has no sufficient money to have his license renewed.

Living inside a tent for a year, Inday said they are constantly worried about their situation – especially for their grandchildren. “Basta umuulan, umiiyak ang mga bata. Natatakot na kasi sila dahil noon, nabagsakan ng kahoy ang tent namin dahil sa lakas ng hangin (Whenever it rains, the children will cry. They were afraid of such since a tree already fell on their tent due to strong winds),” she recalled.

Now that the Radia family has moved from a tent to a housing unit, the couple has gained peace of mind.

“Hindi kami nakakahiga sa kama noon. Matanda na kami, kaya mahirap na ang humiga sa banig. Ngayong may bahay na kami ulit, mas safe na ang pamilya namin at maginhawa na ang buhay namin (We were not comfortably lying on a bed. We are already old. Thus, we find it hard to sleep on a mat. Now, we already have a house again. Our family is safer and life is better),” Inday said.

Daud’s plan is to save money to have his license renewed to jump start the family’s income. “Hindi ko na poproblemahin ang pang-araw-araw namin. Panatag ako sa asawa’t mga anak ko (We no longer worry on our daily expenses. My wife and children no longer worry on anything),” he said.

Inday, on the other hand, will return to tailoring as soon as the family settles down to its new home. “Parang bagong buhay sa amin ito. Iba na ang lugar, pero sa tulong ng gobyerno, makakabalik kami sa kung ano ang buhay namin noon (This is a new life for us. Though the place is new, with the help of the government, we can certainly go back to our old life),” she said.

The new housing project is part of the regional government’s objective to build homes for families displaced by the siege in Marawi. Another housing project with 144 units in Barangay Pantaon, Saguiaran, also for IDPs, will soon be completed.

Meanwhile, Hataman encouraged the IDPs to keep the faith since Islam teaches that with every hardship comes ease.

He also assured displaced residents that government agencies are united in the endeavor to rebuild Marawi.

Muslim cemetery sought in ARMM

By ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

COTABATO CITY: The putting up of a Muslim cemetery in every town in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), was proposed recently by Maguindanao regional Assemblyman Khadafe Mangudadatu who noted that practically all municipalities and cities in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi do not have public cemetery for their dead.

Mangudadatu attributed the situation to the centuries-old tradition of Muslim sub-tribes of Maranao, Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Iranon and Maguindanaon of burying their departed relatives in private lots or farms.

Assemblyman Mangudadatu’s bill seeks “to require every local government unit to provide at three to five hectares of land for the communal graveyards of Muslims, “explaining that his proposal aimed at providing a decent hallowed resting place for Moroland’s inhabitants, especially the indigent ones living in villages or sitio (sub-village).

Cleric Esmael Ibrahim, a member of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), has strongly endorsed the Maguindanao legislator’s proposed law for regional operation.

He emphasized that Mangudadatu’s measure “will definitely help our impoverished Moro sectors in Muslim Mindanao, considered by many as the country’s most depressed and disadvantaged region.”

Mangudadatu said his family is more than willing to donate a piece of land in their hometown of Buluan for conversion into a Muslim burial ground even before the Regional Legislative Assembly can enact his bill into law.

ARMM welcomes Global Filipino School Program

(PIA-12 Cotabato City)

COTABATO CITY (PIA) – The education department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) welcomes Globe Telecom’s Global Filipino Schools (GFS) Program as it recently opened in the area.

The GFS program is a long-term modern approach to education that allows 21st century learning methods to be introduced and implemented in public schools nationwide.

It seeks to transform select public schools into centers of excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and innovative teaching methods.

Expressing appreciation for Globe Telecom’s partnership, DepEd-ARMM Secretary Rasul Mitmug said the program will help strengthen the skills of teachers in delivering quality education in public schools through the use of modern technology.

Globe Telecom, Incorporated has committed to deliver the GFS program to one high school, or integrated school, to each of ARMM’s schools divisions.

Also, the schools will receive free internet connectivity that teachers and students can use and internet communications technology equipment and proficiency training for teachers on each selected school.

Globe Telecom Senior Vice President on Communications Maria Yolanda Crisanto said, the GFS program now covers all regions around the country including ARMM.

“With the ARMM on board, we are very happy to say that the GFS project is already in the 17th of the 17 regions in the entire Philippines.

“As fast as we can adopt using the internet, using all the latest technologies available to us, the sooner it will be better for all of us. We want to be competitive and a huge part of that competitiveness starts with education, we are glad that ARMM is open with this kind of project,” she said.

Crisanto also said that Globe will be promoting the Digital Thumbprint Program created by Globe Telecom, Optus, and Singtel, which aims at turning the Filipino youth into responsible online citizens.

Cotabato City invites bikers in 1st Mountain Bike Challenge

(Politiko Mindanao)

The city government of Cotabato is encouraging all the bikers in the city to participate in the 1st Mayor Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi Mountain Bike Challenge to be held next month.

The local government said those who will be joining the Mountain Bike Challenge on September 1 can choose from any of the two categories: Cross Country and Fun Ride.

There will be age brackets for each category.

The winners will receive cash prizes and medals.

Registration is free, the city government said.

LTO opens extension office in Tawi-Tawi

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi -- Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante on Wednesday enjoined the agency’s personnel to work with dedication and commitment as he led the inauguration of the LTO Extension Office here.

The new office, located along Capitol Road in Barangay Tubig-Boh here, is under the supervision of the LTO Region 9 headed by lawyer Aminola Abaton.

Galvante urged extension office personnel to always evaluate the services they render for the satisfaction of the clientele of LTO.

He said the opening of the extension office aims to bring closer the services of the LTO to the people, especially those in the transport sector.

“There is no need for them to go to Zamboanga City to acquire driver’s license as well as register a vehicle,” Abaton said.

Abaton said the LTO of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (LTO-ARMM) has stopped its operations here in 2000 and the new satellite office was an initiative of Bongao Mayor Jimuel Que.

Que said the construction of the building that houses the extension office was funded through the 20-percent development fund of the municipal government.

He said the extension office will greatly lessen the expenses of those who wanted to acquire driver’s license, as well as those registering their vehicles.

“The one-way boat fare to Zamboanga City from here is already PHP1,200. How about the food expenses? Where to stay there? It is very costly just to acquire a driver’s license,” Que said.

He said it is more costly to register a vehicle since the owner is required to present the unit for inspection to register.

P4.8-b for Marawi rehabilitation in 2019

By Rio N. Araja

The national government is allocating another P4.8 billion for rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City under the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget next year, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday.

​Pimentel, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said P3.5 billion will be for disaster funds while the remaining P1.3 billion will go to the engineering brigade of the Philippine Army that will be helping in the reconstruction and rehabilitation program.

“On top of the P3.5 billion, government is also spending another P1.3 billion to support the activation of the Philippine Army’s 55th Engineering Brigade for the purpose of aiding in the restoration of Marawi,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his 2019 budget message to Congress, said he was pleased with the ongoing efforts to revive Marawi City.

The government is already spending P10 billion this year to make Marawi City livable again, complete with homes, schools, places of worship, hospitals, public markets, roads and bridges as well as basic services.

Over 2K displaced Maranaos trained by TESDA to help rebuild Marawi

By Ma. Cristina Arayata (PNA)

MANILA -- Over half of the 5,015 internally displaced people (IDP) of Marawi, who were given free training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will now help rebuild the war-torn city, a TESDA executive told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.

Of the total graduates, 2,360 finished construction-related courses or technical vocational education training (TVET). These graduates will help in Marawi City's rehabilitation efforts, according to TESDA.

In May 2017, the terrorist Maute Group brought violence to Marawi City, killing innocent people, causing fears, burning houses and establishments. The war with military troops ended in October 2017.

"We have 5,015 graduates who had their training from July 2017 to May 2018. There were two training modalities -- community-based and institution-based," TESDA-10 Regional Director Tarhata Mapandi told the PNA.

These graduates were those who went to nearby towns during the siege.

"They were the IDPs in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Iligan. There were also those who went to Saguiran, and those who went back to Marawi City after the siege. We were also able to provide training in barangays there," Mapandi added.

The Marawi IDPs were equipped with knowledge and skills through construction-related courses. Among these were Carpentry, Electrical Installation and Maintenance National Certification (NC) ll, Masonry NC I, Multiple Plumbing, Pipefitting, Tile Setting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC l, Heavy Equipment Operator NC ll, Plaster Concrete or Masonry Surface, Technical Drafting, and Electrical Installation & Maintenance NC ll.

The other graduates took courses related to other sectors, such as tourism, electronics, agriculture and fishery, health, garments, and social and community development services.

Under TESDA Secretary Guiling Mamondiong's 17-Point Agenda, the IDPs are among those prioritized in the provision of skills training.

Mamondiong earlier noted that providing the IDPs with the necessary training could help them with their livelihood and help them get back to normalcy.

TESDA will continue helping Marawi IDPs, Mapandi said.

ARMM guv orders DPWH district offices to fast-track infra projects

By Noel Punzalan (PNA)

COTABATO CITY -- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman has ordered the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH-ARMM), particularly its district engineering offices, to speed up the completion of pending infrastructure projects in their respective areas.

Hataman said he will also meet local government executives and project contractors to ensure the smooth completion of the projects.

“Our goal here is to check on the status of these projects before the end of the year,” Hataman told reporters here on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the governor met with DPWH-ARMM people, led by regional DPWH secretary Don Mustapha Loong, for updates on the infra-projects during the Governor’s Initiative for Systems Assessment event held here.

Hataman said the deadline for the projects has been set within this year in preparation for the assumption of the incoming Bangsamoro government.

To date, the DPWH-ARMM has paved 1,547 kilometers of roads and built 83 bridges; installed 210 units of water supply systems; constructed 30 flood control structures, 60 units of drainage structures, 89 seaports, and 51 shore protection foundations, among others.

The ARMM comprises the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and Basilan.

DILG undertakes potable water project in Marawi

By Chito Chavez

A P76-million water system project in Marawi City will be undertaken to provide potable water to residents through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG’s) Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (Salintubig) program.

DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año said that more than 2,156 households in Marawi will have access to potable water upon completion of the project by December 2019.

Año was designated by President Duterte as the Martial Law Administrator in Mindanao during the five-month-long Marawi crisis last year. “The DILG has actively contributed to end the Marawi siege and in reclaiming of the city from the local terrorist group. Now the Department continues to be proactive in its rehabilitation,” Año said.

The Salintubig project covers seven priority barangays namely: Sagonsongan, Mipaga, Emie Punod, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Moriatao Loksadato.

The DILG and the Department of National Defense as co-leads of the inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Sub-Committee on Security, Peace and Order are responsible for the restoration of water, electricity, and other public utilities in Marawi.

A tripartite Memorandum of Agreement was forged among the DILG Region 10, DILG Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and city government of Marawi for the implementation of the project.

DILG Assistant Secretary for Peace and Security Alexander Macario handed over a check worth P76-million to the City Government of Marawi for the implementation of the Salintubig potable water supply project.

The Salintubig program in Marawi is part of the P10-billion rehabilitation program under the 2018 General Appropriations Act which includes the establishment of potable water system in the priority areas.

Preventing violent extremism

Along with the Marawi rehabilitation efforts, the DILG is also in coordination with other government agencies in preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE).

“The Marawi incident is a complex crisis that is rooted on poverty, corruption, and misled ideology. Countering violent extremism would require not just a whole-of-government but also whole-of-nation approach involving communities,” said Año.

He noted that the DILG has tapped its attached agency, the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), for a localized or whole-of-community approach for PCVE advocacy campaign against terrorism and communist insurgency.

A series of training programs on PCVE has been jointly held by the DILG, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, PPSC and other agencies for an integrated community action against radicalization and extremism that will be cascaded down to barangays and local government units.

AFP, PNP launch first blood bank for Marawi

By WILLIAM JUN GARCIA (TMT)

MARAWI, Lanao del Sur: A blood bank called Project “Daloy” was launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center on Friday.

Spearheaded by the 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFC), Project “Daloy (Flow)” refers to the blood shared by local stakeholders for the PNP and AFP personnel based in Marawi and also for Marawi City residents.

A partnership agreement ceremonial signing was held among the 1403rd RMFC, 12th Civil Military Operations Battalion of the Philippine Army, Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) and the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, City Government of Marawi, Integrated Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur (IPHO LDS), Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office and the 103rd Special Action Company (SAC), Special Action Force.

Sixty-five blood bags were collected from 92 volunteers who were screened after the blood-letting activity participated in by the strategic partners 1403rd RMFC, APMC, IPHO LDS, 12th Command Battalion, 103rd SAC, together with the Mindanao State University, JCI Kulintang Inc, 107.1 Love Radio and Marawi City residents.

“This is our first step of building a stronger Marawi, by promoting synergy among law enforcement units and stakeholders in Marawi, through the establishment of the blood bank,” Police Chief Insp. Janz Vladimir Hilarion, 1403rd RMFC company commander, said.

The blood-letting activity will be conducted every quarter to promote sustainability of the blood bank project.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Bae Sorayah Alonto-Adiong, Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra, Vanni Luague, JCI Kulintang Inc. head and APMC officer-in-charge Dr. Luz Saber supported the community-centered project said a “first step toward lifelong commitment” is not only in giving blood and saving life but also in promoting unity toward peace and development.”

Barangay, SK elections in Marawi set on September 22

By Paterno Esmaquel II (Rappler.com)

The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Marawi City are scheduled 4 months after the same exercise was held in other parts of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in strife-torn Marawi City will be held on September 22, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced.

In a statement, the Comelec said the barangay and SK election period in Marawi City will run from August 17 to September 29.

The campaign period will run from September 12 to 20, the Comelec added.

The last day for filing statements of contributions and expenditures is on October 22.

The Comelec released these details in Resolution 10412 promulgated on Wednesday, August 1.

Marawi is the site of a 5-month siege between government forces and terrorists, killing 168 government troops, mostly soldiers.

The Comelec earlier decided to suspend the barangay and SK elections in Marawi because of the conditions in the city. Elsewhere in the Philippines, the barangay and SK elections were held on May 14.

Celebrity guests laud traditional cuisines in ARMM

(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- As the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) showcased its traditional Moro cuisines in a food festival, celebrity guests lauded the region’s unique food and delicacies noting they would promote ARMM in many ways they can. The ARMM food fest puts the spotlight on culinary delights of the region’s five provinces as part of the 29th founding anniversary celebration.

Certified foodie and blogger Erwan Heusaff, celebrity chef Boy Logro, actor-restaurateur Diether Ocampo, BecomingFilipino blogger Kyle ‘Kulas’ Jennermann, and Anak Mindanao Executive Director Djalia Turabin Hataman were among the event’s judges. Chieftains and representatives of each village wore their traditional attire during the event.

Compared with the cuisines of other regions, which tend to be sweetened, the Moros’ cooking remains strongly ancestral utilizing a good deal of coconut milk and rich in ground spices. Typical ingredients include chili, turmeric, sambal, coriander, lemongrass and peanut butter. Because of Islamic laws, pork and alcohol are absent in the native cuisine of the Moros.

“It’s amazing, the culture and beauty that is here in the region, from the people to the colors to the music to the dance to the food; these are incredible,” Canadian blogger Jennermann said. “It is so much hard to promote the food here because you don’t even know how to describe how amazing it is, so everybody in the Philippines should see this and understand this,” he added.

Promoting the culinary delights in the ARMM through his blog, Heusaff said: “I do videos and I think I just want to focus on the food and culture here in ARMM and I will put it into video and hopefully people will get curious and actually realize that they can travel here and experience it for themselves.”

“Food here in ARMM is really good, everything was really surprising, actually most of the dishes I’ve tasted I wasn't familiar (but those were) really tasty and delicious and I’m glad I was able to taste the food here and looking forward to joining more (events),” he added. The food festival marks the celebration of the region’s diverse flavors reflecting its culture and a celebration of cuisine and culinary talents of the Moro people.

Popular actor Ocampo noted that joining the food festival is a great opportunity to share the good news not only to Filipinos but also to the world.

“It’s about time to recognize (our own) – the culinary expertise in our country, something I’ve always been looking forward to. Now that I have the chance to have a great experience with them, I think we should definitely continue doing this in the next couple of years,” Ocampo said adding that experiencing the food in the region is a great surprise for him.

He also suggested that each village should share their recipes so they can share these delights in other parts of the country.

PH, Aussie navies hold maritime security exercise in Tawi-Tawi

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Navy's Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) command and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are holding a joint exercise off the coast of Tawi-Tawi, an official said Tuesday.

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, said the 10-day joint exercise -- the second leg of the 4th Combined PN-RAN Maritime Security Activity -- kicked off on Sunday in Tawi-Tawi.

Lt. Commander Musksin Jasid, NSJM chief, and Lt. Col. Judd Finger of the Australian government’s Joint Task Group 629 led the opening ceremony at the Naval Station Juan Magluyan (NSJM) in Batu-Bato, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.

It was followed by a fellowship games between the PN and RAN delegates and a boodle fight meal, which served as a symbol of brotherhood and strong bond between the two navies.

Medina said the 4th combined PN-RAN Maritime Security Activity includes the conduct of a series of meeting procedures and maritime patrols in the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), particularly in the waters of ZamPeLan, (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

He said there will also be various ship drills aboard PN and RAN vessels to test the readiness of the crew.

The PN vessels BRP-Felix Apolinario (PC-395), BRP-Anastacio Cacayorin (PC-387, and Multipurpose Attack craft BA 482 are participating in the activity. The participating RAN vessels are the HMAS Wollongong and HMAS Ararat.

Medina underscored the importance of the activity in enhancing the maritime inter-operability between the PN and RAN and other regional state navies. It also complements the current operations of the Naval Task Group Basilan and Naval Task Group ZamPeLan to pre-empt and end piracy, kidnappings and terrorism in the maritime domain, he added.

The first leg of the Maritime Security Activity was held in the Naval Forces West Area of Responsibility in Palawan from July 16 to 25, this year.

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