BREDCO PORT, BACOLOD CITY PHILIPPINES, Saturday 29 September 2018 – Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) ship, KDB DARUTTAQWA (DTQ) was at Bredco Port alongside with Philippine Navy (PN) ship BRP ANDRES BONIFACIO (FF17) after completing the sea phase for the bilateral exercise between RBN and PN codenamed ‘Exercise SEAGULL 08/18’. The exercise commenced on Monday 24th September 2018 in Cebu city for the Harbour Phase, followed by the Sea Phase conducted in the vicinity of Camotes and Visayans Sea.
Ships conducted the Field Training Exercise wherein both ships enhanced their interoperability whilst sailing from Cebu, Philippines on the 26th and concluded the sea phase prior to entering Bredco Port, Bacalod City on the 27th September 2018.
Furthermore, the medical team and crew led by Maj (Dr) Isehardy bin Murni participated in a joint community service with personnel from the Philippine Navy and have conducted free medical consultations and provided free medications to the community.
The exercise concluded with a closing ceremony officiated onboard FF17 with closing remarks by Captain Renato P David, Commander Naval Task Force 50, who subsequently officially concluded the Exercise. Present as Guest of Honour was Captain Zil Husam Bin Hj Abdul Rahman, Fleet Commander RBN.
This series exercise featured both harbour and sea phase. Among the serials conducted during the sea phase were Sea rider exchange, Community relation activities, Helicopter landing operations, Gunnery exercise, Communications exercises and combined Vessel Board Search and Seize (VBSS) between the two navies. This series of Exercise Seagull provides another valuable opportunities for both navies to strengthen relationship and enhance mutual co-operation and understanding through the development of common operational doctrines, procedures and tactics.
