MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PN) is now making a headway in the maritime security arena.
This was disclosed by Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, during the welcoming ceremonies for strategic sealift vessel BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and the 300-man contingent aboard at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor, Monday afternoon.
“(Monday’s) arrival ceremony is but one of the many attestations that we are indeed making headways in our thrust to be globally recognized as a game-player in the maritime security arena,” Empedrad said.
BRP Tarlac and the military personnel aboard it made history in the PN for their successful Oct. 1 to 6 port visit to Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, South Korea last Oct. 12 to 16.
Also present during the arrival ceremony were Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, House Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu and other PN senior leaders.
“The successful overseas mission is a manifestation that the Navy is steadily improving and modernizing. This is another big leap in enhancing the organization’s core competency to further improve its readiness to engage in multilateral maritime activities and contribute to preserving regional maritime security,” PN spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said in a statement.
During their visit to Russia, the ship and the contingent aboard her participated in several activities, which enhanced their relationship with their Russian counterparts.
Aside from this, the PN personnel also got a chance to tour the Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine “Komsomolskna-Amure 877” and the Russian Marine Firing Range.
Also, Russian Marines conducted a capability demonstration and had their Philippine Marine Corps counterparts ran obstacle courses and pistol firing exercises.
Meanwhile, the visit on Jeju Island, South Korea strengthened ties of the PN with its others counterparts, through the conduct of different confidence-building activities in line with the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2018 hosted by Republic of Korea Navy, he said.
The International Fleet Review held at that time marked the 70th anniversary of the ROK Armed Forces.
Empedrad was present in the WPNS 2018 and said that the country will be hosting the same event in 2020. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
