Australia, PH navies launch exercises

Starting Monday, at least 350 Philippine Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel will conduct military exercises for five days in Manila Bay.

Dubbed “Lumbas 2012,” the 12th annual Maritime Training Activity between the Philippines and Australia is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the naval forces of both countries in disaster response and fighting cross-border crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking and drug smuggling.

In a statement released Sunday by its public information office, the Philippine Navy said the opening ceremony would be held on the HMAS Sydney, one of the Royal Australian Navy’s modified Leander-class light cruisers.

It said it would send the BRP Mariano Alvarez and the BRP Bienvenido Salping and a component from the Naval Special Operations Group to participate in the training.

Besides Filipino navy personnel, officers of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will participate in the event. Marlon Ramos