BRP Davao del Sur reinforces PH fleet in WPS

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10, 2023): BRP Davao del Sur reinforces PH fleet in WPS (By Izza Reynoso)

DECK VIEW. The BRP Davao del Sur docks at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan for a month-long deployment that will boost patrol in the West Philippine Sea. The warship arrived from its homeport in Subic, Zambales on Oct. 6. (Photo courtesy of Wescom Public Affairs Office)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – The Armed Forces of the Philippines has dispatched BRP Davao del Sur to reinforce the Western Command’s (Wescom) maritime surveillance capabilities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The multi-role-capable vessel will be deployed for a month before sailing back to Subic, Zambales for reprovisioning. It arrived here on Friday.

Wescom spokesperson Commander Ariel Joseph Coloma on Tuesday said BRP Davao del Sur will conduct territorial patrol missions in the WPS.

"We require additional vessels and law enforcement platforms because our territory is vast. Our ships need to cover 7,000 square nautical miles of sea," Coloma said in an interview.

Apart from its patrol duties in the WPS, the Tarlac-class landing platform dock vessel can engage in humanitarian and disaster response efforts as well as provide sealift capabilities, explained Commander Marco Sandalo, the vessel's commanding officer.

Sandalo told local media representatives during a shipboard tour on Monday that they are loading food supplies from the Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

These provisions are intended for transportation to Culion, a town situated in the northern area of the province.

He said that for civilian transportation, they can coordinate with Wescom if necessary, especially for humanitarian reasons.

"But, of course, we are here to intensify our naval presence in Wescom's joint operations area, specifically to ensure our continuous presence in the West Philippine Sea," Sandalo said.

Coloma said that even with the new deployment, they still require additional resources due to the vast expanse it manages in the WPS.

Further, he said that despite resource limitations, Wescom will uphold its commitment to safeguard the nation's territories.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211497