LEGAZPI CITY: The joint Philippines-United States exercise Samasama 2023 held in the waters of Albay for 12 days strengthened the Philippines naval forces disaster preparedness and air and sea interoperability.
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SOUTH HARBOR, Manila, Feb. 26 The Philippine Navy (PN) officially welcomed its second missile frigate Antonio Luna (FF151), and its maiden crew in a simple arrival ceremony at Pier 13 here Friday, February 26.
Secretary of Public Works and Highways, Mark Villar, was the guest of honor of the ceremony leading all spectators in witnessing the future BRP Antonio Luna finally docking to a Philippine port for the first time. He was joined by the Navy Chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Offshore Combat Force Commander, Commo. Joe Anthony Orbe, Littoral Combat Force Commander, Commo. Roy Vincent Trinidad, and other AFP senior officials.
(PH NAVY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, PN Flag Officer in Command, presided over the ceremony as Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, donned his second star while 2nd Marine Brigade Commander Arturo Rojas and Offshore Combat Force (OCF) Commander Joe Anthony Orbe were elevated to the ranks of brigadier general and commodore, respectively.
Bacordo congratulated the Navy officers whom he said “embody the vision, maturity, and professionalism needed for senior officers” to help the Navy achieve its goal of having a “modern and multi-capable naval defense institution” which is responsive to the country’s current and emerging security challenges.