PH Navy Participates in Russia’s 80th Navy Day Celebrations
The Philippine Navy (PN) delegation to the Russian Navy Day celebration in St. Petersburg was headed by the Flag-Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad (center). (Photo by Philippine Navy)
MOSCOW 15 August 2019 — The Philippine Navy (PN) participated in Russia's 80th Navy Day celebrations in the cities of St. Petersburg and Vladivostok on 28 July 2019.
This year’s Philippine participation in celebrations “symbolizes the continued deepening of our ties in general and our military-to-military relations in particular,” according to Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta.
The main events for the commemoration of the Navy Day were held in St. Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the naval parade and flyover. Other naval parades were also conducted in main Russian bases – Severomorsk, Baltiysk, Sevastopol, Vladivostok, Astrakhan, and the Syrian port of Tartus.
A total of 28 countries, including the Philippines, sent delegations to participate in the events in St. Petersburg, while the Philippine Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy joined their Russian counterparts for the naval parade and fleet review in Vladivostok.
Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad headed the PN delegation to the activities in St. Petersburg, which included meetings with counterparts, visits to naval facilities, and attendance to the naval parade and flyover.
In Vladivostok, a 300-man contingent on board Philippine Navy’s newest amphibious landing dock vessel BRP Davao del Sur participated in the Naval Parade. The vessel was in a fleet review formation along with other participating naval ships, while Philippine Navy servicemen from the Naval Task Force (NTF) 80.5 manned its rails to render honors to the passing ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet.
The contingent, headed by Navy Captain Richard Gonzaga, also called on officials of the Russia’s Pacific Fleet and the Vladivostok City Government, visited naval facilities, participated in goodwill games, and hosted receptions for the Russian Navy and the Filipino community.
“This is the first time our navy participated in Russia’s Naval Parade. Only a few scant years back, it was almost unimaginable to see our warships sailing together with Russian warships. This is a powerful symbol of the historic decision to free ourselves from the constraints of history and to make our own choices in our foreign relations, choices that open the doors to expanding the frontiers of friendship and cooperation,” Ambassador Sorreta said.
In October last year, Philippine Navy’s BRP Tarlac with 363 officers and crew from the NTF 87, made a historic port call in Vladivostok. Goodwill visits were likewise made by Russian Navy contingents in January and April this year. Russian vessels are also expected to make port calls in Davao between October to November 2019. END
Vice Admiral Empedrad, (fourth from right) and the members of the Philippine delegation met with Russian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenovn (fourth from left), on 29 July 2019 at the Russian Naval Museum in St. Petersburg. (Photo by Philippine Navy)
BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602) arrived in Vladivostok on 26 July 2019 to participate in the Naval Parade and Fleet Review. The vessel, with its 300-man contingent, was welcomed by the representative from the Philippine Embassy and officials from Russian Pacific Fleet. (Photo by Philippine Navy)
The Naval Task Force 80.5 Commander, Navy Captain Richard Gonzaga and the Commanding Officer of BRP Davao del Sur, Commander Homer Gonzales, were welcomed by Philippine Embassy in Russia’s representative, Third Secretary / Political Officer, Ms. Anna Guerra and officials of the Russia’s Pacific Fleet. (Photo by Philippine Navy)
For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia