A COORDINATED Patrol (Corpat) between the Philippines and Indonesia reopened on July 5 as borders between the two countries reopened this year. Eastern Mindanao Command chief and Philippine Border Committee Chairman Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol graced the opening. He was accompanied by Commodore Carlos Sabarre, vice chairman and commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao; Philippine Consul General in Manado Angelica Escalona and Department of Foreign Affairs Mindanao Assistant Secretary Renato Pedro Villa. Corpat is a joint patrol between the Indonesian Navy and the Philippine Navy which aims to maintain and secure the maritime borders of both countries against piracy, illegal crossing and other criminal activities carried out four times a year. 'I am confident that we will be able to sustain our efforts in responding to the common challenges that beset our nations and be able to build a Southeast Asian region that is peaceful and prosperous,' Almerol added. Meanwhile, the naval ships involved during the exercises and coordinated patrols were the KRI Ajak-653 from the Indonesian Navy and BRP Ramon Alcaraz PS-16 from the Philippine Navy.
