Manila, April 25 -- Filipino, American and French naval ships involved in the Balikatan multilateral maritime exercise (MME) sailed from Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Thursday to the drill's areas in the West Philippine Sea.

The participating naval ships for the MME include the offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) for the Philippine Navy; the landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) for the US Navy and the French Navy's FS Vendemiaire (F-374), a Floreal-class frigate.

In a media interview, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command spokesperson Navy Capt. Ariel Joseph Coloma said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz was the first ship to leave Puerto Princesa City at 9 a.m., followed...