By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), one of the country’s most capable offshore patrol vessels, has arrived off Busan, South Korea Saturday afternoon for this year’s ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM-Plus) Maritime Security Field Training Exercise 2019.
Navy spokesperson, Captain Jonathan Zata said the ship, along with the contingent consisting of Naval Task Group 80.6 headed by Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad, docked at the Busan Naval Base Pier.
“This is considered the second time in recent memory that a Philippine Navy vessel went to South Korea, the first being the historic visit held last October 2018 in Jeju Island,” the PN spokesperson said.
BRP Andres Bonifacio departed Pier 13, Manila South Harbor for the said drill on April 23.
Zata said the ship and all personnel aboard were warmly received by the Republic of Korea Navy.
Trinidad, in his arrival statement, said the PN’s participation in this year’s iteration of the ADMM-initiated exercise demonstrates the Command’s commitment to work with other ASEAN and partner navies in multilateral environment.
He said the deployment of the country’s ships overseas is part of our major effort in naval diplomacy, and that the contingent is looking forward to another successful mission, following the more recent sorties in Hawaii, Australia, and Russia.
