2 Navy warships patrol northern waters

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – Two Navy warships, BRP Bacolod City and BRP Artemio Ricarte, are currently patrolling the seas of Northern Luzon, including the Scar-borough Shoal, as part of the military’s maritime security operations.

The ships arrived at Poro Point here yesterday together with some 100 Navy personnel and 300 cadets of the Philippine Military Academy to conduct community relations in the protection of marine resources.

Commodore Jose Luis Alano, commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon, told The STAR that the ships were on a mission to secure the northern waters up to the Scarborough Shoal.

“These two Navy ships are here to conduct a mission, primarily to secure the northern waters as part of internal security operations and maritime security. They just came from patrol at the Scarborough Shoal,” he said.

Alano said the operation at Scarborough Shoal was conducted together with the PNP Maritime Command to enhance their proficiency and capability in maritime operations.

He said the two vessels were in Malaysia last month for military exercises.

Alano said the warships have been upgraded as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces.

The warships were sent on a mission here as part of the 110th founding anniversary of the Philippine Navy.

He said the equipment and weapons installed on the ships have been refurbished like the fire control system and sensors that include thermal imaging to detect a contact or target even at night.