Thai Navy Ships on Goodwill Visit to the Philippines

By: LTCOL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Two ships of the Royal Thai Navy - HTMS TAKSIN and HTMS CHAOPRAYA are set to arrive in the Philippines today, 24 March 2010 for a five-day goodwill visit. The delegation headed by Squadron Commander Rear Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich, Royal Thai Cadet Training Unit’s Commander is composed of 70 officers, 239 enlisted men, 20 non-military rank personnel, and 236 naval cadets. The ships are commanded by Capt Samarn Khunthaphong and Capt Skye Bekanan. The Philippine Navy’s BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS36) will meet and escort the visiting ships in the vicinity of Corregidor Island, a time-honored tradition among navies.

Shortly after their arrival, the head of the delegation will pay a courtesy call to Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy at the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Blvd. The head of the Thai delegation will also lead the wreathlaying ceremony at the Luneta Park. Officers and personnel of the two navies will also see action during sports activities at the Jurado Hall, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Taguig City.

Slated in the next few days is a shipboard tour and familiarization of students from the Fleet Training Center, Cavite City. The Philippine Navy sees this as an opportunity for its students to optimize learning aboard state-of-the-art vessels now that PN is about to jumpstart its own modernization. The goodwill visit is also a good avenue to discuss with our Thai counterparts the possibilities for closer linkages such as mutual visits, exchange of subject matter experts and research analysts, and other similar activities that would contribute to a mutually beneficial relationship between the Philippine and Thai armed forces in the area of defense/military research.

The goodwill visit also gives opportunity for the Philippine Navy to strengthen ties with its Thai counterparts as both countries are working together in the common pursuit of maintaining peace and stability in the ASEAN region. It’s also a good venue to reiterate their commitment in combating terrorism and transnational crimes at sea, concerns which require a cooperative response among nations.

PRESS ADVISORY: Goodwill Visit of Two (2) Royal Thai Navy Ships to the Philippines

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

WHO: Royal Thai Navy

WHAT: Goodwill Visit of Two (2) Royal Thai Navy Ships to the Philippines

WHEN: 24-28 March 2010

WHERE: Manila, Philippines

DETAILS:

Two ships from the Royal Thai Navy- HTMS TAKSIN and HTMS CHAOPHRAYA will arrive in Manila for a goodwill visit on 24-28 March 2010. The ships are expected to dock at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila at 12:00 today, 24 March 2010. The delegation is headed by Squadron Commander Rear Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich, Royal Thai Cadet Training Unit’s Commander. The ships are commanded by Capt Samarn Khunthaphong and Capt Skye Bekanan with a complement of 70 officers, 239 enlisted men, 20 non-military rank personnel, and 236 naval cadets.

The head of the delegation will pay a courtesy call to Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy at the Navy Headquarters today at 1 p.m. The delegation will proceed to the Luneta Park for the wreathlaying ceremony. The two navies will also see action in a number of sports activities at the Jurado Hall, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Taguig City.

Friends from the media are invited to cover the events. You may coordinate with
LTJG MARINETH R DOMINGO PN at mobile telephone number (0917) 817-1434 for additional information and other concerns.

PHOTO RELEASE

By: LTCOL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Members of the elite Force Reconnaissance Company of the Philippine Marine Corps rushed to their respective vehicle during the send off ceremony Monday, 22 March 2010 at the Headquarters Philippine Navy. They will be deployed to Basilan to support law-enforcement actions against lawless elements operating in the said province. The send-off of the Philippine Navy vessels and marine personnel is in line with the guidance of AFP Chief of Staff General Delfin N Bangit to get the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group within 60 days.

Six patrol vessels and gunboats of the Philippine Navy that will be deployed to operational areas specifically in Visayas and Mindanao are moored in Commodore Divino Pier at the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The send-off of the vessels and marine personnel was held 7:30 a.m. Monday, 22 March 2010 in line with the guidance of AFP Chief of Staff General Delfin N Bangit to get the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group within 60 days.

Officers and men of BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36) board their ship after the send-off ceremony Monday, 22 March 2010 at the Headquarters Philippine Navy. PS 36 is one of the six Navy ships that will be deployed to operational areas specifically in Visayas and Mindanao. The send-off of the vessels and marine personnel is in line with the guidance of AFP Chief of Staff General Delfin N Bangit to get the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group within 60 days.