Philippines, Australia hold naval drill in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy (PN) on Sunday conducted a joint naval drill with its Australian counterpart in the West Philippine Sea, which was aimed at avoiding an unplanned sea encounter.

Dubbed Passex, the PN frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz and two Australian warships, Her Majesty Australian Ship Arunta and HMAS Sirius, held the drill off the coast of Grande Island in Subic, Zambales.

“The ships conducted maneuvering, visual communications and publication exercises, using the code of unplanned encounters at sea (CUES),” PN public affairs chief Lued Lincuna said.

CUES is a non-binding agreement between 21 member-countries of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), which offers safety measures and means to limit uncertainties when ships engaged in an unplanned encounter.

Lincuna said last Sunday’s drill served as a venue to enhance the ability and skills of Filipino and Australian sailors, as well as promote cooperation and interoperability of the two navies.

The Passex came a day after the conclusion of this year’s joint amphibious drills between Filipino and US Marines and sailors in Zambales and Palawan.