PN vessel docks at newly-built port in Pagasa Island

May 20, 2020

A Philippine Navy vessel docked at the newly-constructed port at Pagasa Island in West Philippine Sea (WPS) for the first time.

Lt. Maivi Neri, acting public affairs officer of Naval Forces West, said Philippine Navy’s BRP Ivatan (LC298) docked at Pagasa Island at the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on May 13.

Neri said the vessel were able to dock in the Island although the construction of the port is not yet finished.

"The construction is not yet finish, its not yet 100 percent completed, but it is slowly being finish for our rotational provision mission," she said.

Neri said LC298 berthed in the Island as part of the Naval Forces West’s troop rotation and reprovisioning mission at the different KIG detachments of the WPS.

"BRP Ivatan, skippered by Cdr. Bennie Demetillo, successfully conducted its task as platform of NFW’s mission team for rotation of troops of Pagasa detachment and delivering the necessary supplies and goods for consumption of the Sailors and Marines assigned their as security personnel,"  she said.

"After the replacing the troops and bringing down the reprovisioning the vessel immediately departed on the same day," she added.

Neri said after traversing the West Philippine Sea for weeks for troop rotation and reprovisioning at the different KIG detachments which include Rizal Reef, Lawak and Patag Islands, BRP Ivatan arrived at Puerto Princesa City early morning of May 17. Robina Asido/DMS