PH Navy eyes BRP Davao del Sur deployment to Middle East

The tension between Iran and the United States of America in the Middle East will continue to rise and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is wary of the overseas Filipino workers in the area.

Duterte has directed the cabinet to make plans if evacuations will be necessary for the thousands of Filipinos who wish to leave the Middle East.

The Philippine Navy (PN) in its response to the directive of their Commander in Chief said it could deploy one of its two landing dock vessels, the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), to help in evacuating overseas Filipino workers.

One of Philippine Navy's landing dock vessel and a Gregorio Del Pilar offshore patrol vessel
(photo credit to owner) 

"The PN concept of support in the repatriation of affected OFWs in the Middle East, (is) one landing dock and possibly escorted by one Del Pilar (class offshore patrol vessel) if needed (and) will be taken into consideration as part of the PN planning," PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said

Roxas was responding to the question which navy vessels can be tapped to such evacuation mission.

PN will recommend the two vessels if the pressing needs would require a rapid deployment of floating assets.

BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) is one of two landing dock vessels at the PN inventory and the  BRP Tarlac (LD-601)is its sister ship, both were acquiredfrom Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL.

These Landing Dock Vessels are the largest ships in PN inventory weighing around 7,200 gross tons and measuring 120 meters in length, a width of 21 meters and a draft of five meters. Both landing docks are capable of a cruising speed of 13 knots and a maximum speed of 16 knots and can carry 2,800 tons of cargo.

The vessels also have a minimum operating range of 7,500 nautical miles and can transport 500 troops, two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units, and three helicopters.

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Report from PNA