BRP Tarlac starts historic SoKor port visitc

Capt. Cho Inchoeol, Chief of Staff of the ROK Naval Education and Training Group 8, welcomed the PN contingent. (Photo courtesy: Philippine Navy Public Affairs Office via PNA)

MANILA — Strategic sealift vessel BRP Tarlac has started its South Korea port visit after arriving at Jeju Island on Friday night.

“From a just-concluded goodwill visit in Vladivostok, Russia, and three days at sea, Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Tarlac carrying Philippine Navy contingent arrived here at 8:30 in the evening (local time) of October 12, 2018 for another historic port visit in (South) Korea,” Naval Task Force (NTF) 87 head, Capt. Florante Gagua, said in a statement Saturday.

BRP Tarlac’s left Vladivostok on Oct. 9 to start its voyage to Jeju.

On board the ship is a 300-man naval contingent composed of the Naval Special Operations Group, Philippine Marine Corps, Technical and Administrative Services, Naval Reserve Command, and a Helicopter Detachment Afloat from the Naval Air Group.

Upon its arrival, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy counterparts warmly received the PN contingent at Cruise Pier, Jeju Island.

Capt. Cho Inchoeol, Chief of Staff of the ROK Naval Education and Training Group 8, welcomed the PN contingent.

Immediately after the ceremony, key leaders of both navies proceeded to a briefing on board BRP Tarlac with Korean counterparts and exchanged pleasantries and messages of goodwill.

Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, with defense attache Capt. Armil Angeles and other PN delegates were also present in the arrival ceremony.

Empedrad is in South Korea to attend the 2018 Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) hosted by the ROK Navy.

The PN chief expressed his gratitude for all the accomplishments of the contingent during the historic port visit in Vladivostok, Russia. He is confident that the overseas engagement such as this is a step towards achieving a world class navy, and to be at par with foreign counterparts.

The port visit, in conjunction with the ROK-hosted activity conveys the Command’s commitment in promoting multilateral cooperation. It aims to maintain and strengthen navy to navy relations, validate friendship and cooperative engagement with other countries’ navies.