PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan (PIA) -- Through a simple opening ceremony, the Philippine Navy (PN) formally opens “Exercise Pagsisikap 2022” on September 27, 2022.

The opening ceremony was held at Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Bgy. San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City. It was graced by Deputy Commander, Philippine Fleet, Commodore Roy Vincent T. Trinidad PN as the Presiding Officer and Keynote Speaker.

The said exercise which will be held on the shorelines of Brgy. Samariñana in Brooke’s Point focuses on the PN’s thrust to sustain the Fleet-Marine units in the planning and execution of surface and amphibious operations and assault in the littoral battle space.

“This unilateral Naval Exercise, being conducted annually aims to enhance further the Fleet-Marine capability with emphasis on surface and amphibious operations in support to the Navy’s Capability Development Plan,” Capt. Brendo J. Casaclang PN (GSC), Exercise Director said in his welcome remarks.

Said exercise will be participated by 705 navy personnel including the different PN vessels (five capital ships and two support ships), aircrafts, the appropriate combat support units from the Philippine Marines-Marine Battalion Landing Teams, and PN Reservists.

“Exercise Pagsisikap will showcase the Philippine Navy’s capability, it is conducted every year in different naval forces nationwide. Here we see all the components of the Philippine Navy, the floating assets, the fleet, the ships, the Marine Battalions, our special operators, aircrafts, CMO, reservists, components of combat, combat supports, and combat service support,” Commodore Trinidad said in an interview.

He added that Brooke’s Point is an ideal location for the said exercise, particularly, in amphibious landing. There are beaches appropriate for the exercise scenario.

Naval Forces West Public Affairs Officer Lt. Joseph Ison, explained that the highlight of the exercise will be the actual capability demonstration of the amphibious operation which will be held on the shorelines of Brgy. Samariñana, on September 30, 2022.

In this exercise, participating PN vessels will conduct live firing exercise, and other maritime security operations such as maritime interdiction operation, visit, board search and seizure (VBSS), casualty medical evacuation (Medevac) at sea, among others on 28 September 2022, Lt. Ison added.

Medical, dental health awareness activities, feeding, and Brigada Eskwela will also be held at Cabangaan Elementary School, Sitio Cabangaan of Brgy. Samariñana on September 29-30, 2022. (OCJ/PIA-MIMAROPA)