EL NIDO, Palawan -- Western Command (WESCOM), through Joint Task Force West (JTFW) and Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTFM), carried out the 4 th iteration of the Gas-Oil Platform Takedown (GOPLAT) Exercise 2022 from December 4-5, 2022.

The exercise aims to assess the operational readiness and preparedness of JTFW and JTFM in securing the Malampaya Natural Gas to Power Project (MNGPP) Platform in cases of emergencies that may arise.

During the opening ceremony of the exercise, Capt Brendo J Casaclang PN(GSC), the Deputy Commander for Fleet Operations of NFW and co-exercise director, stated that the participating units in this exercise are expected to showcase their capabilities in times of emergencies and acts of terrorism in the MNGPP.

Moreover, Capt Arnel F Teodoro PN(MNSA), the Deputy Commander of JTFM and co-exercise director, said that the 

exercise aims to enhance the command and control, collaboration, readiness of the AFP units and other stakeholders during exigencies in the MNGPP.

“The Malampaya Project is one of the country’s economic crown jewels that provides more or less ten-hour of electricity to mainland Luzon, particularly in the National Capital Region. It is imperative that a coordinated and unified protection of the project is guaranteed and available on time”, Capt. Teodoro added.

During the exercise, activities such as vertical insertion, and non-compliant Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) were conducted. The units and assets that participated the exercise were the Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (BA483 and BA484), Special Operations Teams, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), PN AW109 Helicopter (NH430), and PAF Sokol Helicopter.

This year’s iteration of the GOPLAT Exercise was highlighted with the use of High Angle Sniping on an AW109 navy helicopter and the use of UAS for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

BGen Robert I Velasco PN(M), the Commander of JTFM and co-officer conducting the exercise, said: “only the navy has the capability to recover and takedown the MNGPP in case of emergencies, attacks, and intrusions”.

With this, Western Command, through its Joint Task Forces will continue to sharpen its sphere through the conduct of these kinds of exercises which will be used to protect one of the country’s economic crowned jewel, the MNGPP. (PR-WESCOM)