27 June 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in Manado hosted a welcome dinner for the 160 Officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine Navy, Army, and Air Force who participated in the Philippines-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol Exercise (CORPAT 27-13) from May 28 to 30.

Two Philippine Navy ships, namely; BRP Magat Salamat (PS 20) and BRP Miguel Malvar (PS 19) participated in the almost two-week exercises in the Celebes Sea. The two ships left Davao City for the exercises on 22 May and arrived at the Indonesian Navy’s station at Bitung on May 28. After a three-day port call at Bitung, the two ships left for Davao City on May 30 and returned to Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City on June 01.

The biennial activity at sea by the two navies includes drills on anti-smuggling, anti-terrorism, anti-human trafficking, rescue, and disaster response. During the exercise, medical and dental services were rendered to the residents of Marore and Balut Islands, two border islands in the Celebes Sea. The civic action portion of the exercise was the first of such activity to be held as part of CORPAT with the arrangements made by the Philippine and Indonesian Navies.

During the call on Philippine Consul General to Manado Jose D.R. Burgos, Captain Antonio A. Habulan (GSC) PN, Head of Delegation and newly designated Commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) expressed gratitude and appreciation for the assistance and support of the Consulate General to the Philippines’ and Indonesia’s border activities which are held on an annual basis.

The last Chairmen’s Conference between the two countries was held in Makassar on February 19 to 22. The Consulate is also host to the Philippine Liaison Officer (PLO) of the Philippine Border Committee. Upgrading of the rank of the PLO-Manado from Lt. Colonel or Commander (Navy) to Colonel or Captain (Navy) was also discussed. At present, the Customs Border Crossing Officer (CBCO) in Marore Island has an equivalent rank of FSO I outranking the PLO.

Twenty-five (25) Filipino fishermen were repatriated to General Santos City through the two (2) Philippine Navy ships during their return to Davao City after their successful participation in CORPAT 27-13. END