By Francis Wakefield
A Tomas Batillo class fast attack craft, the BRP Bienvenido Salting, (PC112), was retired Wednesday (October 31, 2018) after more than 22 years of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony at the Commodore Posadas Wharf East, Fort San Felipe, Naval Base Cavite, Cavite City.
(PHILIPPINE NAVY / MANILA BULLETIN)
No less than the flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, the commander of the Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Danilo Rodelas along with the commander of Littoral Combat Force, Captain Rey Dela Cruz, spearheaded the decommissioning ceremony.
The last commanding officer, Commander Oliver T. Comedoy gave the final command to haul down the flag and her commission pennant that signified the final salute to the ship as she bows out of the service.
Former skippers led by the former flag officer in command, Vice Admiral Alexander P. Pama and officers and crew members of the ship, were in attendance for the ceremony.
Also present were Dr. Vicente L. Salting, son of Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Salting, together with his wife, Myrna, his son Lloyd Vincent and granddaughter, Nica Adele.
The ship was named after Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Salting, one of the AFP officers who took part in the Philippines Expeditionary Forces in Korea in 1951.
Formerly as Patrol Killer Medium (PKM) 225, she was commissioned and deployed by the Republic of Korea in 1979. She was one of the five PKM that were transferred to the Philippine Navy’s inventory in 1995 under the RPROK Defense Agreement. She was commissioned in the Philippine Navy on May 22, 1996 and since then, was actively deployed to conduct coastal patrol interdiction.
BRP Bienvenido Salting was one of the elements of the famed Naval Task Force "Stingray” which was extensively used in support of the conduct of Internal Security Operations and was deployed in Naval Forces Central Area of Responsibility to secure the country’s tourist spots and critical infrastructures in the coastal areas. Her presence together with other floating assets helped secure local communities amidst the threat of kidnapping and terrorism in Central and Eastern Visayas.
“Having been in service for decades, it is understandable that one day, she will definitely reach her maximum operational limit,” Empedrad said in his remarks.
"Today may have been the last day she served our maritime nation but to all of us, she will remain an epitome of loyal service and her memory will always be cherished by the generations of naval officers and sailors who served with her," he added.
Aside from BRP Bienvenido Salting, the Philippine Navy decommissioned BRP Rajah Humabon (PF11) last March 15, 2018.
The decommissioning of naval ships is a significant activity and a major part in the modernization of the Philippine Navy as it deliberately phases out older vessels in lieu of phasing in newer and more capable platforms.
The Philippine Navy is looking forward to decommissioning more ships as it readies to receive a newer Pohang class frigate and its purposely built frigate all from the Republic of Korea by 2020.
(PHILIPPINE NAVY / MANILA BULLETIN)
No less than the flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, the commander of the Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Danilo Rodelas along with the commander of Littoral Combat Force, Captain Rey Dela Cruz, spearheaded the decommissioning ceremony.
The last commanding officer, Commander Oliver T. Comedoy gave the final command to haul down the flag and her commission pennant that signified the final salute to the ship as she bows out of the service.
Former skippers led by the former flag officer in command, Vice Admiral Alexander P. Pama and officers and crew members of the ship, were in attendance for the ceremony.
Also present were Dr. Vicente L. Salting, son of Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Salting, together with his wife, Myrna, his son Lloyd Vincent and granddaughter, Nica Adele.
The ship was named after Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Salting, one of the AFP officers who took part in the Philippines Expeditionary Forces in Korea in 1951.
Formerly as Patrol Killer Medium (PKM) 225, she was commissioned and deployed by the Republic of Korea in 1979. She was one of the five PKM that were transferred to the Philippine Navy’s inventory in 1995 under the RPROK Defense Agreement. She was commissioned in the Philippine Navy on May 22, 1996 and since then, was actively deployed to conduct coastal patrol interdiction.
BRP Bienvenido Salting was one of the elements of the famed Naval Task Force "Stingray” which was extensively used in support of the conduct of Internal Security Operations and was deployed in Naval Forces Central Area of Responsibility to secure the country’s tourist spots and critical infrastructures in the coastal areas. Her presence together with other floating assets helped secure local communities amidst the threat of kidnapping and terrorism in Central and Eastern Visayas.
“Having been in service for decades, it is understandable that one day, she will definitely reach her maximum operational limit,” Empedrad said in his remarks.
"Today may have been the last day she served our maritime nation but to all of us, she will remain an epitome of loyal service and her memory will always be cherished by the generations of naval officers and sailors who served with her," he added.
Aside from BRP Bienvenido Salting, the Philippine Navy decommissioned BRP Rajah Humabon (PF11) last March 15, 2018.
The decommissioning of naval ships is a significant activity and a major part in the modernization of the Philippine Navy as it deliberately phases out older vessels in lieu of phasing in newer and more capable platforms.
The Philippine Navy is looking forward to decommissioning more ships as it readies to receive a newer Pohang class frigate and its purposely built frigate all from the Republic of Korea by 2020.