After its successful stint at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 Exercise, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) docked in Guam on Wednesday for refueling and reprovision ahead of a long journey back to the Philippines.
The Philippine Navy's (PN) first missile-capable frigate arrived at the Romeo 1 Pier of Naval Base Guam while carrying the 125-member unit of the Naval Task Group 80.5, the PN contingent to RIMPAC.
The stop-over will also be an opportunity for the group to conduct health and biosafety protocols to ensure the health of the Navy personnel amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Captain Jerry Garrido Jr., skipper of BRP Jose Rizal and commander of NTG 80.5.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting director of the naval public affairs office, said the vessel's safe arrival in Guam "is a validation of the improving capacities of PN personnel in handling modern ships and systems and sustaining operations overseas."
The NTG 80.5 will depart Guam on September 18 and is expected to arrive in the Philippines on September 22.
The unit is fresh from its participation in RIMPAC 2020, the world's largest maritime warfare drill, which was held in Hawaii from August 17 to 31.