Subic Bay: The Fleet-Marine Ready Force (FMRF) has announced the deployment of the Philippine Navy (PN) contingent to participate in the 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025, scheduled to take place in Bali, Indonesia, from February 16 to 22. The send-off ceremony was held on February 8 at the Naval Operating Base in Subic Bay, Zambales.
According to Philippines News Agency, the naval task group, designated as Naval Task Group (NTG) 84, comprises 175 personnel from various PN units and the offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16). Captain Malone Agudelo leads NTG 84, while Commander Johanns Cruzada commands the BRP Ramon Alcaraz.
The send-off ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, PN vice commander Brig. Gen. Edwin Amadar, and FMRF deputy commander for fleet operations, Captain Glenn Dizon. Captain Dizon will also serve as the exercise director for the PN contingent during the MNEK.
This year’s MNEK will feature a range of activities organized into three main categories: Fleet Activity, Maritime Hospitality, and Community Relations. The Fleet Activity includes the International Fleet Review, Subject Matter Expertise Exchange, and Sea Phase. Maritime Hospitality will host the International Maritime Security Symposium and bilateral meetings. Community Relations will involve the Medical Civic Action Program, Baby Turtle Release, Coral Planting, and a Taekwondo Tournament.
MNEK, a biennial multilateral naval exercise, involves the participation of 31 navies and aims to foster cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. It also seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations among ASEAN and Indo-Pacific navies through naval diplomacy. The inaugural exercise was held in 2014 in Batam City, Indonesia.
