Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) received the Best Operating Forces Unit Award during the 120th Philippine Navy’s Founding Anniversary in June. President Rodrigo Duterte personally congratulated NFWM Commander RAdm Rene V Medina while FOIC VAdm Robert Empredad attached the streamer to NFWM’s standard in a ceremony held in Davao.
As the Philippine Navy marked its 120th Founding Anniversary with an enduring theme, “Protecting the Seas, Securing Our Future,” outstanding PN units, Officers and personnel were recognized for serving the organization with honor and excellence.
As rated on the Annual General Inspection (AGI) 2017, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) was ranked highest of all NOFs of the Philippine Navy, and for the first time bagged the award as Naval Operating Forces of The Year. As such, it obtained the PN FOIC’s streamer and Plaque of Commendation. The award is for the performance and efficiency of the Command in accomplishing its mission, which greatly contributed to the mission accomplishment of the Philippine Navy as a whole. After 21 years of indefatigable labor, dedication, and worthy efforts of the people behind this success, NFWM and its men and women were humbled and motivated to work beyond its means.
Through the collective efforts of its highly motivated and efficient human resources, the NFWM Command indeed accomplished its multifarious missions. And with no objection, the NFWM Command has continuously sent personnel for schooling as mandated by Higher Headquarters to correlate with its mission to provide emphasis to enhance navy personnel skills.
The NFWM Command successfully conducted 34 training activities, which benefited 1,455 training participants from organic, OPCON, and tenant units. During “Regatta de Zamboanga,” the command conducted the Fleet-Marine Interoperability Training with the Philippine Air Force through Capabilities Demonstration on Amphibious Raid and Tactical Maneuvers with the aim to upkeep skills, competency, and enhance inter-operability with other Branches of Service.
With the dynamics in the area of operations of NFWM Forces being confronted by various threats and challenges, the organization has to be responsive. In the implementation NFWM Support Plan “Malinawon” to WMC Campaign Plan “Kasanyangan,” the command task organized Naval Task Force 61 to improve effectiveness and operational response.
For the AGI CY 2017, with the organizational reform and modification of the organization of the units as well as boosting the morale and welfare of the personnel, NFWM had ably increased its AGI rating from 96.94% in CY 2016 to 98.93% in CY 2017.
The effective implementation of PN Strategic Sail Plan 2020 was notably appreciated by RAdm Rene V Medina AFP, Commander, Western Mindanao Command during his official visit to HNFWM where he stated that 60% of the accomplishment of the entire Western Mindanao Command was provided by NFWM in CY 2017. The PN Strategic Sail Plan 2020 achieved an increase in rating from 3.5 to 3.99, and a Silver Award during the AGI CY 2017.
On the Capability-Build Up as measured by the OPREVAL rating, the NFWM Command had significantly increased its rating from 92% in CY2016 to 98% in CY2017 due to the administrative organizational reform being implemented by the NFWM Command to enhance efficiency in terms of measurement parameters.
Moreover, the NFWM Command has had a significant increase in the conduct of Maritime Patrol, Sealift Operations, Air Operations and Special Operations, Territorial Defense Operations, and Internal Security Operations. Less attention was given to other law enforcement mandates undertaken by law enforcers. The modification of line of effort of the Command has decreased the occurrence of incidents at sea by 67% and increased the number of rescued victims to 133% in CY 2017 compared with CY 2016 level. The most significant result of this effort was the NFWM Command having been able to pinpoint the location of Isnilon Hapilon which initiated the battle of the Government Forces against the ISIS-inspired local and foreign terrorist, Maute Group, Abu Sayaf Group, and other armed groups that joined this new breed of terrorists that intend to establish a Wilayat in South East Asia, specifically in Marawi City, Mindanao.
Through the Naval Task Group (NTG) Tawi–Tawi, the command participated and launched 2 Trilateral Maritime and Air Patrol, and 2 Port Visits. The Command initially established Maritime Coordinating Center (MCC) in order to enable information and intelligence sharing as part of the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement. Combined Maritime Patrol Exercise were also conducted last October 2017 as well as SEMAPHOREX and PASSEX. The NFWM Command also spearheaded the Combined Philippine Navy (PN) and Australian Navy (RAN) Maritime Security Engagement (PN-RAN MSE) launched last November 2017.
On special operations and intensified intelligence operations, the NFWM Command successfully neutralized high valued targets of the Abu Sayaf Group and other armed threat groups within the area of operations. Through its Naval Task Group and able Fleet–Marine Units, the NFWM Command conducted several Focused Military Operations (FMO) within the Area of Operations.
Over the years, the NFWM Command has been continuously developing and setting the standards as a command without limiting its mission.
“We tend to not leave behind the past as it reminds us to strive more, aim more and do more. The future is coming, yes it is and we are not stopping. We have witnessed how NFWM evolved into a strong and credible navy that has molded young minds and brave hearts amidst challenges. It doesn’t end there, and it’s the beginning of an unstoppable service to our maritime nation,” RAdm Rene V Medina AFP, Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, expressed.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ENS JESCA MAY P VIDUYA PN, Public Affairs Officer of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Tomas Claudio College, and a proud member of NOCC “MADANGPANAN” CL 28.
ENS LARA V LITUSQUEN PN, Civil Affairs Officer, NF7 of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications at University of the East, and a proud member of NOCC “SIDLAK-ALAB” CL 29.