Philippine, Australian navies hold Mindanao antipiracy drills

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Antiterror and antipiracy exercises involving the Philippine and Royal Australian navies have started here.

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, commander of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao, said that for 21 days, sailors from the two countries would undergo training in the waters off Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, a favorite hunting ground for pirates and Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Medina said Australia brought in the Armidale-class patrol boats HMAS Broome and HMAS Lauceston for the exercises to be participated in by over 100 Filipino Navy seals and Marines. —Julie Alipala