Manila: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) conducted a simulation exercise at the Dolomite Beach on Friday to boost its search and rescue readiness. The event focused on demonstrating the agency's ability to handle emergencies efficiently.

According to Philippines News Agency, the search and rescue exercise (SAREX) depicted an aircraft ditching incident at Manila Bay. The exercise involved coordination among air, sea, and medical rescue operations, mobilizing responders from the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, partner hospitals, and other government agencies for emergency management.

CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario emphasized the importance of the exercise, stating in Filipino, "We wanted to showcase CAAP's ability and readiness to respond during accidents and emergencies. The responders are ready."

The exercise aims to validate the effectiveness of the national search system, assess unified command mechanisms, evaluate response time and communication systems, and identify operational gaps that may require procedural improvements, according to CAAP. Additionally, SAREX is a part of the Philippines' ongoing efforts to comply with international standards.