SAN FERNANDO CITY, June 12 (PIA) –The Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Conrado Yap, one of the capital ships and the first anti-submarine vessel of the country, set sail from this city on Friday bound to the Philippine Rise.
BRP Conrado Yap carries the 101 troops of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) who will conduct maritime patrol and assert the country’s sovereignty over the Philippine Rise by hoisting flags over the domain.
More than just a ceremonial activity in line with the celebration of the 124th Philippine Independence Day and the commemoration of the 6th year anniversary of the renaming of Benham Rise, NFNL Commodore Francisco Tagamolila Jr. emphasized how the event can symbolize the country’s freedom.
“This activity is more than just a ceremony because the freedom to raise our flag is a strong manifestation that we exercise our sovereignty in the area and a state planted firmly to declare what is rightfully ours,” Tagamolila said.
Officers and personnel of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon board the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Conrado Yap as it set sails bound to the Philippine Rise to conduct maritime patrol and hoist flags over the domain.
A send-off rite was conducted at the Soiltech Pier in Catbangen village here on June 10 led by LTGEN Ernesto Torres Jr., commander of the North Luzon Command, along with other officials of the NFNL, the Coast Guard District Northwestern Luzon and the Philippine Air Force.
The BRP Conrado Yap is expected to arrive at the Philippine Rise by June 13 under the leadership of Commander Cyrus Mendoza.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Rise, by virtue of Executive Order No. 25 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2017, is declared as a protected food supply exclusive zone thus, prohibiting mining and oil exploration in the domain. (JCR/AMB/CGRC, PIA La Union)
