THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), in collaboration with the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), held an arrival ceremony on June 21 to welcome the BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG906) at Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City.
Major General Luis Rex D. Bergante, EastMinCom Commander, served as the guest of honor and speaker at the ceremony. He highlighted the significance of operations within the EastMinCom Joint Operational Area (JOA) for the nation’s overall security posture.
“As we make significant strides in improving our internal security operations and begin the healing and reconciliation process, we must reassess and refocus our efforts to address the prevailing threat to our national territory,” Bergante said.
The arrival of PG906, along with its officers and sailors, will substantially contribute to our overarching mission of protecting our sovereignty and safeguarding our territory,” he added.
The BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG906) is a new Philippine Navy asset deployed within the EastMinCom JOA, enhancing the region’s maritime security capabilities. The Philippine Navy commissioned the gunboat in May this year after it was delivered from Israel Shipyards Ltd. on Nov. 18 last year.
Also called an Acero-class patrol gunboat, the BRP Herminigildo Yurong is classified as missile-capable. The Philippine Navy has six Acero-class vessels, including BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901), BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903), BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905), and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907).
The gunboat was named after the slain Marine Herminigildo J. Yurong who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor while he led his men in fighting 200 MILF guerrillas in Maguindanao in 2000.
