Alcaraz returns from Vietnam port visit

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Philippine Navy onboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz returned to the country yesterday after a successful port visit to Cam Ranh, Vietnam from Dec. 2 to 12.

The Fleet-Marine Ready Force (FMRF), under the leadership of Commodore Albert Mogol, held arrival ceremonies for the contingent at Pier 13 in the Manila South Harbor.

Capt. Dennis Rommel Quines, commander of Naval Task Force, headed the Navy contingent comprised of 300 officers and men from the FMRF Directorate, Surface Warfare students, medical team from Cavite Naval Hospital, Naval Special Operations Team, Helicopter Detachment Afloat, Submarine Group, Naval Combat Engineering Brigade Combo and representatives from the Support Base Facilities of Naval Installation Command.

During the port visit, head of mission Mogol together with Quines paid a courtesy call on the commander of Vietnam’s Naval Region 4 and the leader of Khanh Hoa province committee in Nah Trang to engage in a dialogue and establish strategic partnership on maritime security and cooperation.

Maj. Wallie Sanaani, Navy Public Affairs Office chief, said the port visit also included the training for 20 students of the Surface Warfare Commanders Course and the exchange of information with Vietnam People’s Navy officers.

The port visit was a bilateral engagement to strengthen the alliance and commitment toward peace and stability in the maritime region by promoting naval diplomacy, camaraderie and fostering goodwill.

Sanaani said a series of events was also conducted such as combined planning for passing exercise to enhance the interoperability between the two navies, goodwill games, city tour and social interaction.