Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin graced the 113th founding anniversary on Tuesday of the Philippine Navy (PN) at the PN headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila.
The celebration had the theme, “A Vital Partner for Peace, Security and Development of our Maritime Nation.”
Highlight of the event was the launching of the “Support your PN Foundation,” send-off ceremony for gunboats BRP Manuel Gomez (PG388), BRP Emilio Liwanag (PG118), and supply ship BRP Dagupan City (LC551) and Static Equipment Display and Demonstration.
The two gunboats and the supply ships are for anti-terror security operations in the Sulu Sea next week.
Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the gunboats are deployed under the Fleet-Marine concept, the Navy’s program devoted to fighting terror in several areas of Western Mindanao.
“They are bringing in supplies and logistics to our units in Western Mindanao. Included in their mission is the conduct of maritime security patrols,” Tonsay said.
Commander Kenneth Tingabngab of the Navy’s Modernization Office said the two gunboats were acquired from South Korea and were upgraded in Navotas City.
He said the Philippine government paid only US$ 100 for the repair of each ship as these were practically donated by South Korea as a goodwill measure.
The 110-foot tall patrol mediums were manufactured in the 1980s and primarily for patrolling and interdiction.
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