BRP Davao del Sur sails for Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine landing dock vessel BRP Davao del Sur, which accompanied the fire-damaged cutter BRP Ramon Alcaraz on a mission to Oman, is homebound carrying 200,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 18 Filipinos—18 tourists and three seamen—who were stranded in India.

Navy flag officer in command Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the ship was expected to arrive in Manila on May 23 with the stranded Filipinos and the PPE it picked up in Oman.

The Alcaraz, on the other hand, will stay in Cochin, India, for 21 days for repairs.

—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE