Joint Press Release of CORPAT PHIL-INDO XXXII-2018

The Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia Border Committees successfully concluded the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) PHILINDO XXXII-2018 participated in by the Eastern Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and the Eastern Fleet Command, Indonesian Navy. It was done in two (2) phases: Phase 1 from 10 to 29 April 2018 with the opening ceremony held in Manado City, Indonesia; and Phase 2 from 05 to 20 July 2018 with the closing ceremony held in Davao City.

Joined by other maritime agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, and the Philippine Navy Auxiliary Reserve Unit, the Philippine and Indonesian Navies enhanced their interoperability at sea resulting to the conduct of 32 naval exercises and shipboard evolutions along the common borders with a total steaming time of 542 hours and 28 minutes covering 5,454 nautical miles.

Moreover, through the joint efforts of our respective governments, last April 20 the coordinated naval patrol was able to jibe the repatriation of 31 Filipino fisher folks from Indonesia back to their families with the assistance of concerned local government units and government agencies. The repatriates were welcomed by Secretary Christopher Lawrence Go as representative of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Alongside the sea-based exercise, civic action and medical assistance activities were also undertaken at Brgy Tibanban, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental as part of the land-based activities with the support and participation of the local government unit of Governor Generoso, the Consulate of Indonesia based in Davao City and other government agencies. The services included medical, dental, veterinarian, fisheries forum, distribution of 1,000 assorted seedlings to the local populace, and on-site registration to Indonesian descendants. The Consulate of Indonesia was also able to conduct documentation and provided passports to qualified Indonesian citizens. The civil-military activity benefitted a total of 433 medical and 258 dental patients, and about 800 mangroves were planted in the said barangay.

With these, the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia Border Committees expressed satisfaction on the results of the coordinated naval patrol and reaffirmed cooperation not only in ensuring enhanced coordinated border security measures between the two countries but also to provide humanitarian assistance to citizens of both countries in the future.

Signed:

LTGEN BENJAMIN R MADRIGAL JR AFP
Commander, Eastern Mindanao Command
Chairman, RPBC

1ST ADMIRAL TNI AHMADI HERI PURWONO S.E., M.M.
Commander, Second Fleet Command
Vice Chairman, RIBC