THE PHILIPPINE Navy’s Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.5, onboard the Eastern Mindanao Command’s (EastMinCom) patrol ship BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS37), arrived in Bitung, Indonesia, yesterday, September 28, 2025, to participate in the 4th Maritime Training Activity (MTA) PHILINDO 2025.
The contingent received a warm welcome from their Indonesian Navy counterparts, marked by a vibrant traditional cultural dance and an official arrival ceremony. The reception was led by Captain Marvill Marfel Frits, commander of Joint Exercise MTA PHILINDO 04/25.
Following the ceremony, both navies engaged with Indonesian media, conveying their respective objectives for the joint exercise and reaffirming their commitment to its success.
The day concluded with a welcome dinner hosted by the Indonesian Navy, strengthening the camaraderie and people-to-people connections between the sailors in a hospitable atmosphere.
MTA PHILINDO 2025 is designed to underscore the enduring partnership between the Philippine Navy and the Indonesian Navy.
The activity aims to reinforce interoperability, advance regional maritime security cooperation, and foster stronger bilateral relations between the two neighboring nations.
