MANILA, Dec. 23 -- The crew of the Philippine Navy's (PN) offshore patrol vessel BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37) played Santa Claus and handed over gifts to fisherfolk they met while patrolling Eastern Mindanao waters.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) said BRP Artemio Ricarte's patrol took place from Wednesday to Sunday last week, covering the waters of Gen. Santos City, Sarangani Bay, Sarangani Province, Davao Occidental, Balut Island and Davao Gulf, as well as Philippine-Indonesia common borders.

It said operation reinforced the PN's maritime posture and ensured the safety and security of vital sea lanes and coastal communities in Eastern Mindanao.

"While conducting their maritime patrol, PS-37 also...