The Philippine Fleet (PF) through Sealift Amphibious Force (SAF) Christened and Commissioned BRP Mamanwa (LC294), former Mulgae Class LCU 70 of the Republic of Korea on December 6, 2021 at Captain Salvo Pier, Naval Base Heracleo Alano. The christening and commissioning ceremonies were presided by the Flag Officer In Command, Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado PN as the Guest of Honor and Speaker and his wife, Dra. Maria Ruth Bordado serving as Ship Sponsor. Also in attendance were Ltc Bae Jung Hoon, Defense Attache of the Republic of Korea, RAdm Alberto B Carlos PN, Commander, Philippine Fleet and his wife Mrs. Maria Corina Corazon M Carlos.
“Today, as we commission to the service the BRP MAMANWA, let us be reminded that this is a season of transition for us. We are undergoing a shift for a reason, and that reason is because we want to transform into the kind of organization that we aspire to be: a naval defense force that Filipinos can truly be proud of, now and in the years to come. To the Officers and Sailors of BRP MAMANWA, sail boldly and proudly. Make waves, bow and winds obey! Hooyah!” said the Navy chief.
BRP Mamanwa (LC294) is classified as a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and has a maiden crew of ten Navy personnel with augmentation from other Sealift Amphibious Force vessels as well as the Fleet’s Maintenance Repair Team from Headquarters Sealift Amphibious Force. The ship is skippered by its first Commanding Officer, Cdr. Lyvanjake DC Cabiente PN. The ceremony was conducted under the new normal condition and in strict adherence to health and biosafety protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Notably, members of the Mamanwa tribe were also invited during the activity but due to the prevailing pandemic, they just witnessed the ceremonies online.
The former ROKN Mulgae-class (Furseal-class) landing craft utility of the Republic of Korea Navy, the LCU-78, was built by Korea Tacoma Shipyard in South Korea and was launched on 12 January 1981, and was commissioned in the same year. The LCU is a type of boat capable of transporting equipment, tracked or wheeled vehicles, and troops from amphibious assault ships all the way to beachheads or piers. The class was based on the LCU-1610 design from American shipbuilder Tacoma Boatbuilding Company. The LCU 1466, 1610 and 1627 class vessels are operated by the United States Navy at support commands.
