Manila, April 27 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Monday said one of its patrol ships, the BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37), conducted maritime patrol (MARPAT) operations as part of its efforts to secure the southeastern waters of Mindanao last April 26.

"The operation covered the vicinity of Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, to include Balut and Sarangani Islands, Municipality of Sarangani and the MAKIMA (Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum) area in Sarangani Province, extending southward to the Philippines-Indonesia International Maritime Boundary Limits," it said in a statement.

Likewise, the PN said the BRP Artemio Ricarte was under the operational control of its Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM).

"The operation aims to ensure mariti...