Manila hosts high-level Philippines-European Union seminar on maritime crisis response followed by Exercise Alalayan 2026
Supported by EU project ESIWA+ (Enhancing the EU’s Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific) and EU CRIMARIO, the two-day event convenes government officials and experts from 31 Philippine ministries and agencies responsible for maritime domain awareness.
The initiative is designed to strengthen strategic and operational inter-agency cooperation in responding to large-scale maritime crises and complex maritime security challenges, particularly those involving cyber threats, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) hazards, and incidents involving dangerous cargo at sea. Sharing best practices from Europe were experts from the EU project Global Ports Safety (GPS), the EU CBRN Center of Excellence, and the Maritime Cybersecurity Center of Excellence from Constanţa, Romania.
Secretary Andres C. Centino, Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns, said: “It is vital for the Philippines to work closely with its international partners to strengthen inter-agency coordination and optimize the deployment of assets during maritime operations. Through the support of the European Union, including ESIWA+ and CRIMARIO, Exercise Alalayan contributes to deeper cooperation and collective preparedness against evolving maritime and cybersecurity threats.”
EU Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Massimo Santoro stated: “Working as Team Europe, this activity reflects the continued commitment of the European Union and the Philippines to promote maritime security, regional stability, and effective whole-of-government responses to maritime crises. The message is clear — the EU is a reliable, predictable security partner for the Philippines and partners in the region.”
The seminar was followed by the 4th iteration of Exercise Alalayan, organised by EU CRIMARIO, in partnership with the Philippine National Maritime Center. Supported through the use of the IORIS platform, this year’s edition of Exercise Alalayan centers on two principal scenarios: a cyber-physical maritime incident and a CBRN/dangerous cargo maritime incident.
“As maritime threats continue to grow more complex and interconnected, no single agency or nation can address them alone. Challenges such as illegal fishing, smuggling, maritime piracy, maritime terrorism, and other transnational crimes require sustained cooperation and coordinated action,” said Vice-Admiral Allen J Dalangin PCG, Acting Director of the National Maritime Center.
“Through this high-level conference, table-top exercise, and command post exercise, participants could improve interoperability, exchange best practices, and strengthen interagency collaboration. We extend sincere appreciation to the European Union for their continued support and partnership,” he added.
ESIWA+, 2026
Since June 2025, the EU and the Philippines have been engaged in a Security and Defence Dialogue anchored in the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well as the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
For more information, please contact:
Katia Maronati
Communications Expert, EU CRIMARIO
katia.maronati@crimario.eu
Rahul Venkit
Communications & Visibility Expert, ESIWA+
rahul.venkit@expertisefrance.fr