MANILA, Dec. 23 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) has beefed up its forces in the Visayas with the deployment of its newly-repaired landing craft BRP Manobo (LC-297) to Naval Forces Central (NFC).

BRP Manobo was formally welcomed by the Lapu-Lapu City-based NFC upon its arrival on Monday at the Captain Veloso Pier of Naval Base Rafael Ramos, following the completion of its drydocking and other-related repairs (DDORR) earlier this year.

"Following the successful DDORR, the PN placed BRP Manobo, skippered by Lt. Cdr (Commander) Gino Paolo Goroy, under the operational control of NFC to immediately reintegrate the ship into active service," the PN said in a statement Monday night.

This move highlights efforts to strengthen naval capability and s...