Philippine coast guard vessel docks in Da Nang for goodwill visit

The ship, carrying 74 crew members, was welcomed by Vietnamese military units stationed in Da Nang and city officials.

Captain Eleizer Gonzales Ibarrientos, commanding officer of the vessel, led a Vietnamese delegation on a tour of the ship.

He shared that the Gabriela Silang is one of the Philippines’ two largest and most advanced patrol vessels, featuring a radar-evading aluminum hull, a helipad, a mission management system with a dedicated command center, an automatic identification system, and 24/7 surveillance capabilities.

The 83.6-meter-long, 16-meter-wide vessel has a displacement of 2,000 metric tons and a top speed of 22 knots.

Designed for endurance missions, the vessel can operate for up to one month at sea.

It was constructed at a cost of approximately US$26 million.

Captain Eleizer Gonzales Ibarrientos emphasized the humanitarian mission of the Philippine Coast Guard, noting that his crew is always ready to assist fishermen in distress -- regardless of nationality.

Following the tour, the Vietnamese delegation was invited to enjoy a light breakfast onboard, prepared by the ship’s Filipino chefs.

Vietnamese hosts encouraged the Philippine crew to explore local landmarks such as Linh Ung Pagoda and Ba Na Hills, and to experience Da Nang’s famed coastline, hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The BRP Gabriela Silang and its crew are scheduled to depart Da Nang on Thursday.