MANILA — Strategic sealift vessel BRP Tarlac (LD-601) is scheduled to arrive in Manila by the third week of October following its historic port call in Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, South Korea early this month.
Capt. Florante Gagua, Naval Task Force 87 head, said the ship and the 300-man contingent aboard left Cruise Pier, Jeju Island at around 10: 30 a.m. Tuesday local time.
BRP Tarlac arrived in Jeju on the night of Oct. 12, three days after leaving Vladivostok where she and crew conducted their first-ever port visit to Russia last Oct. 1 to 6.
The ship left Manila for the port visits on Sept. 21.
This is the fourth International Defense and Security Engagement (IDSE) activity conducted by the Philippine Navy (PN) this year.
Prior to its departure from Jeju, Republic Of Korea Navy representative, Capt. Cho Incheol, Chief of Staff of Naval Education, and Training Group 8 and party boarded BRP Tarlac and had a short exchange of pleasantries and messages of goodwill with their Filipino counterparts at the ship’s wardroom.
Gagua expressed his gratitude on behalf of PN flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, for for the warm accommodation rendered by their South Korean counterparts. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
