MANILA — It will be a busy week for the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), one of the three Jacinto-class patrol vessels in the service of the Philippine Navy, as she will be tasked to meet Australian and Japanese naval ships that are making a goodwill visit.
The BRP Emilio Jacinto was designated to perform the customary meeting point procedure for Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships, HMAS Anzac (FFH-150) and HMAS Success (OR-304) on Thursday before they dock at the Alava Wharf of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in Olongapo City.
The maneuver took place off Morong, Bataan, Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said.
The three Jacinto-class vessels, which are among the Navy’s most modern surface combatants, were originally operated by the Royal Navy in Hongkong. They were sold to the Philippines in August 1997 when the United Kingdom’s lease on Hongkong ended.
The visit of the Australian vessels starts Thursday and ends on Sunday. HMAS Anzac, which weighs 3,810 tons and has a maximum speed of 27 knots, is classified as a frigate and is equipped with a variety of weapons capable of engaging surface, sub-surface and air threats, while the HMAS Success is a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler weighing 18,221 tons with a top speed of 20 knots.
On Friday, the BRP Emilio Jacinto will do the same meeting point procedure with the Japan Maritime Self Defense (JMSDF) destroyer, JS Akizuki, which will also dock at the Alava Wharf.
Lincuna said the meeting would also take place off Morong, Bataan.
The BRP Emilio Jacinto has been chosen for these maneuvers since she is near the area conducting an endurance run, he said.
The JS Akizuki, which weighs 6,800 tons at full load and is capable of cruising at 30 knots, is a member of the Azisuki-class destroyers designed to protect the JMSDF’s Hyuga class and Izumo class helicopter destroyers and escort other sophisticated Japanese naval vessels.
She is equipped with one SH-60J patrol helicopter. Her visit starts Friday and ends on Monday. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)