Philippines, South Korea conduct drills off Corregidor

November 18, 2020

The Philippine and South Korean Navy vessels conducted drills off Corregidor on Tuesday.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting Navy public affairs director,  said BRP Conrado Yap conducted passing exercise with Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) ships Kang Gam-chan and Soyang  from around 9 am to 12 noon.

Roxas said the two ships, which are part of the ROKN Cruise Training Task Group, annually visits various ports, including Manila.

"With the prevailing pandemic, however, the ROKN opted for an at-sea exercise with the PN on their way to Malaysia in lieu of a port visit," she said.

"BRP Conrado Yap established communication with the two ROKN ships at around 10 o'clock in the morning followed by low altitude flyby accorded by two FA-50 fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force," she added.

Roxas said during the exercise the South Korean Navy also turned over its donations to the Philippine counterpart.

"Part of the exercise was the transport of the South Korean-donated 10,000 pieces of face masks and 2,000 pieces of hand sanitizers to BRP Conrado Yap through rigid inflatable boats," she said.

"The gesture was inspired by South Korea's deep appreciation of the Philippines for being the first Asian country to send troops in their support during the Korean War in 1950," she added.

Roxas said the turnover of donations was followed by the three ships' tactical maneuvers and culminated with a farewell sail.

PASSEX is a customary undertaking to ensure that vessels and aircraft are able to communicate and cooperate with each other. It is also a form of rendering honors to transiting foreign naval vessels, she said.

The activity aimed to reaffirm the strong ties between the Philippines and South Korea.

The South Korean Navy has been among the key defense partners of the Philippine Navy with their noteworthy contributions to the latter’s modernization journey.

''Most recent among these was the transfer of the former Pohang-class corvette, now BRP Conrado Yap to the PN," she added. Robina Asido/DMS