Last March 10th the Italian frigate Antonio Marceglia left Laem Chabang, Thailand, to reach – after five days of sailing – Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
The stopover in the Asian country, from 15 to 21 March, saw the FREMM engaged in a busy programme of events dedicated to Freedom of Navigation in compliance with international maritime law and the consolidation of bilateral relations between Italy and the Philippines for the protection of Sea Lines of Communication.
Welcoming the ship at the dock, the Italian ambassador to Manila, Davide Giglio, addressed his greeting to the crew lined up on the flight deck: 'The Navy continues a complex action of projection in distant waters of growing importance for the security of our country. With your presence you demonstrate a technical-logistical capacity that honors the ancient traditions of the Navy, much appreciated in the Philippines. Thank you for your commitment!'.
In the presence of Ambassador Giglio, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines, Massimo Santoro, Admiral Andrea Gueglio, Director of the Employment of Military Personnel of the Navy, in Manila representing the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Admiral Andro Val P Abayon, Commander of the Special Forces of the Philippine Navy and a delegation of officers and military personnel of the Philippine Navy, last March 16 the unit became a place of dialogue with the local Catholic community by hosting Sunday Mass on board.
In the spirit of bilateralism and cooperation between the two countries, the basketball match that saw the Marceglia team, captained by a top player exceptional, Ambassador Giglio, and the Phil Navy Fleet team. Not only an exchange of shots and baskets between the two teams, but above all a moment of comparison and sharing.
As evidence of the concrete cooperation between the two Navies, there was also the reception hosted on board last March 19. The event was the occasion for the presentation of the initiative 'Bridging Horizons: Naval Cultural Exchange Thru Arts' by Kristine Soguillon-Lim, an artist and Philippine Navy reservist, who wished to donate four works of art to the ship as a symbol of the shared values between the two countries.
In line with the strategic objectives of the campaign which see Nave Marceglia ambassador of Made in Italy and image of a present, credible and reliable Italy, the Industry Forum “National Hub for Underwater Dimension" saw the participation on board the FREMM of partners and local authorities.
Admiral Andrea Gueglio addressed the audience, underlining the value of the friendship between the two Navies and recalling the numerous sectors of possible collaboration. He then highlighted the strategic value assumed by the newly established National Underwater Pole (PNS), unique in the global panorama for its ability to create synergy between multiple actors interested in operating and developing new capabilities in the underwater sector. 'By its very nature, the Hub also acts as a strategic interlocutor for friendly navies, such as the Philippines. Potential synergies can be developed, in the knowledge that the maritime area of interest to the Philippines is extremely important for the global blue economy. In fact, the seabed of the Indo-Pacific, as in the Mediterranean, in addition to being rich in energy resources and important materials for industries, also sees the passage of strategic data communication lines and pipelines for energy supply.
The PNS looks to the future with the awareness that the underwater dimension will assume an increasingly important strategic value at a global level'.
