Two Navy ships arrive in Manila after Middle East, India missions

June 12, 2020

Philippine Navy ships BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) arrived at the Manila Bay on Independence Day  nearly five months since they were sent to the Middle East to help in repatriating Filipino workers affected by US-Iran tensions.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting Philippine Navy public affairs service director, said the BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz entered Manila Bay on Friday.

The two ships are also carrying  200 thousand pieces of donated face masks for the government's fight against COVID-19 and 18 Filipino tourist repatriates who were stranded in India due to the pandemic, Roxas said last May.

Roxas said the Naval Task Force (NTF) 82 under the Joint Task Force “Pagpauli”  commemorated the 122nd Philippine Independence Day aboard BRP Davao Del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

"BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz sailed in formation with onboard personnel creating the human formation of figure 122 for a photo exercise captured from the embarked AW109 naval helicopter which also conducted flight deck operations or its take-off and landing on Alcaraz's surface while the ship was in motion," she said.

Roxas said the 30 Filipino repatriates from India and Sri Lanka finished the required quarantine period with no one showing COVID-like symptoms.

"The Navy also provided them with interventions, counseling, and physical activities to uplift their morale and well-being during this period," she said.

Roxas said the NTF 82 is expected to be accorded with formal arrival honors at Pier 15 in Manila next week.

"The crew will undergo swab testing while the need to have an extended quarantine period is yet to be determined by local health authorities," she said.

"This activity aimed to display and showcase patriotic pride from vessels that are extensions of Philippine territory in recognition of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our nation's freedom and sovereignty," she added. Robina Asido/DMS