Navy's BRP Jose Rizal leaves Hawaii, joins post-RIMPAC exercise with Brunei, US

The Philippine Navy's BRP Jose Rizal left Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Saturday after participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise.

The frigate, with the Naval Task Group 80.5 on board, is now on its way to Oahu Island in Hawaii to join the USS Chung-Hoon and Royal Brunei Navy KDB Darulehsan for the Post-RIMPAC Exercise 2020 group sail, the Philippine Navy said in a statement.

The Navy contingent will execute a minimal series of exercises with the Brunei and US ships.

From there, the BRP Jose Rizal will refuel and re-provision in Guam.

The frigate is expected to be back in the Philippines on September 21 via Subic Bay in Zambales.

The Philippine Navy said its participation in RIMPAC, the world's biggest joint and combined naval exercise "has advanced its maritime operational capability to multilateral level, thereby increasing readiness and interoperability with foreign navies."

The activity was also seen as a way to build and strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation among navies of other countries and regions.

The BRP Jose Rizal left the Philippines on July 29, arriving in Hawaii on August 15 in time for the RIMPAC on August 17 to 31. —KG, GMA News