Army, Navy strengthen ISO, HADR efforts in WV

By Jemin B. Guillermo

 

Key officers of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division led by its Commander Major General Eric Vinoya visited BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16) in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, February 7.

This is to build a strong alliance between the Philippine Army and the Philippine Navy, a press release from the 3ID Public Affairs Office said.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) is the second ship of the Gregorio del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessels of the Philippine Navy equipped with two 18,000 horsepower (13,000 kW) Pratt & Whitney gas turbines that can propel the ship to a speed of up to 28 knots (52 km/h).

The vessel embarked its maiden voyage from the USA to the Philippines in mid 2013 and was entered into service on the same year under the Offshore Combat Forces of the Philippine Navy’s Fleet.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz is one of the two ship-component of Naval Task Force 82 deployed to Oman in February last year to repatriate overseas Filipinos in the Middle East following tensions between the United States and Iran.

Vinoya said that his visit with BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16) in Aklan aimed to enhance the Philippine Army and the Philippine Navy’s cooperation in the region.

“Our mutual understanding will take us a long way to effectively and efficiently carry out our respective tasks. Collaborative approaches between and among government services is a must,” he said.

Vinoya added “While the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Army have distinct functions, we are brothers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We share a common mandate in our peace and security efforts and on our non-traditional roles in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.” (PIA/Story and photos from 3ID-DPAO/Phil. Army)