Maritime
More assets in the pipeline for
PHL Navy – AFP chief
T
he Philippine Navy (PN) will have more
naval assets to patrol the country’s
vast maritime domains with the arrival
of the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), its
second strategic sealift vessel (SSV), by
May, and two missile-armed MPACs by
November.
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Eduardo Año, made the
statement when asked what efforts are being undertaken
to further secure the country’s seas.
This is in the wake of the failed Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
infiltration in Inabanga, Bohol, which resulted in the death
of six bandits, including sub-leader Muamar Askali alias
“Abu Rami”, and three soldiers and a police officer last
April 11.
He added that the second SSV, along with the two
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MPACs, will provide the Navy more assets to patrol the
country’s waters, especially those in Basilan and Sulu,
deterring ASG bandits against making similar attacks in
the future.
Aside from these ships, additional fast craft and
other assets are being earmarked for the Navy, which
Año said is the primary beneficiary of the ongoing AFP
Modernization Program.
The BRP Davao Del Sur is expected to be delivered by
May 17.
The BRP Davao Del Sur, launched on Sept. 29 last year,
is the sister ship of the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), currently the
largest Filipino warship in commission.
The BRP Tarlac, commissioned on June 1 last year,
arrived in the Philippines on May 14, 2016 after a five-day
journey from PT PAL’s shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The BRP Davao Del Sur is also a Makassar-class landing