Navy’s most powerful ship will patrol waters off Palawan

December 11, 2019

The Philippine Navy's most powerful vessel will patrol waters off Palawan province, the Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad said on Tuesday.

"(BRP) Conrado (Yap), has just arrived after hiding during the storm. It went(to) Mindanao. It is now being prepared for deployment to Palawan," he said.

 BRP Conrado Yap was welcomed by Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and personnel of Naval Forces Western Mindanao in  Zamboanga City last week.

Empedrad said the vessel which has "anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare capabilities" will be deployed to Palawan to secure the Philippine territorial waters.

"To be safe... to patrol our maritime waters whether its in West Philippine Sea or Philippine Rise, that is the role of the Philippine Navy," he said.

Empedrad said the military is also planning to deploy BRP Conrado Yap to secure the waters at the country's southern border.

"The plan is based on the pronouncement President Rodrigo Duterte to get rid Sulu, Celebes Sea of pirates. We need to deploy big ships there so we have Del Pilar (class), the MSF, the Rizal class and Conrado Yap,

"If the vessels were always there at the Sulu and Celebes Sea that is the only way to prevent piracy and hostage taking, there" he added. Robina Asido/DMS