MANILA — A Philippine Navy (PN) ship will be sailing to Japan as early as next month to pick up some materiel for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
This was confirmed by Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad during the welcoming ceremonies held for strategic sealift vessel, BRP Tarlac (LD-601), and the 300-man contingent aboard her at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor on Monday.
“I think one of our ships will go to Japan latter part (of this year) and we will get some spare parts and some munitions of the Philippine Air Force,” Empedrad told reporters.
Empedrad, however, did not elaborate on what these spare parts are.
In a separate interview, PN spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said it is possible that BRP Tarlac or her sister-ship, the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), will be selected for the mission.
“If the mission to Japan will push through this November, this will be the very first time that a PN-commissioned vessel will be calling on one of the ports in Japan,” Zata said. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
