New vessel could perform functions of BRP Ang Pangulo –Navy official

A newly acquired vessel by the Philippine Navy could perform the function of the BRP Ang Pangulo, the ageing presidential yacht that presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte plans to sell once he formally assumes the presidency.

"If there are sorties of the President, we can even utilize this for command and control," said Rear Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado, commander of the Navy's Philippine Fleet, on Tuesday, referring to the brand new strategic sealift vessel (SSV) that arrived in the country from Indonesia on Friday.

The SSV, which will be known as BRP Tarlac once it is commissioned on June 1, is one of the two vessels bought from PT PAL of Indonesia for P3.8 billion. The other is set to be delivered next year.

"This ship is designed to embark task forces, meaning it can be used for command and control purposes," Mercado said, adding that the BRP Ang Pangulo is essentially a "command and control vessel."

"Whenever our President is an area, that is an alternate area for him to stay. If he wants to stay, embark aboard ship, we always welcome the President there at BRP Ang Pangulo," he said.

Duterte on Sunday said he is planning to put the 57-year-old Japan-built BRP Ang Pangulo, which is incidentally due for a P77.63 million repair this year, up for sale to the highest bidder. 

Mercado said the Philippine Navy is supportive of this plan. "We will support whatever the position of our commander-in-chief will be," he said.

"We yield to whatever the position of our commander-in-chief will be. Remember, we just follow policies of our government," he added.

Duterte will formally assume the presidency on June 30. —KBK, GMA News