MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PN) contingent to the recently-concluded “Rim of the Pacific” (RIMPAC) naval exercises have arrived at Apra Harbor, Guam Wednesday.
The contingent is composed of the strategic sealift vessel BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and frigate BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) along with an AgustaWestland AW-109 helicopter and 700 sailors and marines.
This year’s RIMPAC started June 27 and ended on August 2.
Cmdr. Jonathan Zata, PN spokesperson, said officials from the Philippine Consulate General in Guam headed by Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy welcomed the naval units.
The head of the contingent, Naval Task Force 86, Capt. Ernesto O. Baldovino and his deputy, Capt. Joe Anthony Orbe, the commanding officers of the two sips, together with selected personnel of NTF 86 paid a courtesy call to the Philippine Consul General to Guam, Consul General Mariano R. De Borja, at the latter’s official residence in Jonestown, Tamuning.
The four-day visit is part of the contingent’s return voyage to the Philippines.
A series of activities were scheduled especially for Filipino communities residing in the area such as the PN-hosted reception and open ship tour.
“The Philippine Navy continues to conduct International Defense and Security Engagement as part of its diplomatic role. Said activity in Guam is one of the PN’s way of expressing patriotic pride that our Filipino community may look upon and gaining stakeholders support on the continuing efforts of the Navy towards its modernization,” Zata added. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
