Bacolod City – A “No Sail Zone” is now being implemented within 62 square nautical miles of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, from October 11 until October 18 this year, due to “live fire activities” in line with the joint military exercises between the Philippines, the United States and Australia.
In a memorandum issued by the PNP Regional Maritime Unit 7, its commanding officer, PCol. Carlito Mantala, alerted local government units from Basay, Negros Oriental to Dumaguete City, to ensure that those LGUs are fully aware of the naval live fire exercises and encouraged them to avoid the waters from Basay to Sipalay City.
Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias issued a warning to fishermen from entering the 62 square nautical miles, to avoid accidents.
In a statement, AFP chief of staff Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro said “This year’s joint exercise shall undoubtedly reinforce the long-standing alliance and friendship among our respective nations while opening broad avenues to complement our joint regional security efforts and advance our maritime capabilities.
A total of 742 personnel will join the MTA “SAMA-SAMA” and “LUMBAS” 2022 and this includes the AFP’s Naval Reserve Force.
This year’s naval exercises include capability-enhancement events to address non-traditional concerns such as territorial defense, natural and man-made disasters, terrorism, and transnational crimes.
It also aimed at developing warfighting interoperability of participating navies on maritime law enforcement operations, on-shore and at-sea sustainment, air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian assistance. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS with report from Philippine News Agency)