The Philippine Navy (PN) has deployed BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS37) to Bitung, Indonesia for this year’s Maritime Training Activity (MTA) PHILINDO 2025, a bilateral exercise with the Indonesian Navy.
The deployment, led by Commodore Peter Jempsun De Guzman of the Naval Defense Command, departed Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City on September 26.
MTA PHILINDO 2025, set from September 28 to October 4 in Bitung, a coastal city in the island of Sulawesi, marks the fourth iteration of the exercise, which is hosted this year by Indonesia.
The training will feature joint drills in navigation, operations, and naval tactics, as well as subject matter expert exchanges.
The PN said the exercise aims to boost interoperability, strengthen maritime security cooperation, and reinforce longstanding ties with its Indonesian counterpart.
“The Philippine Navy’s participation in MTA PHILINDO 2025 underscores its proactive role in advancing defense diplomacy, promoting interoperability, and fostering stronger regional partnerships for a secure and stable maritime domain,” the PN said.
