BRP ''Agta'' (LC-290) is a landing craft heavy of the

Philippine Navy The Philippine Navy (PN) () is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an estimated strength of 24,500 active service personnel, including the 10,300-strong Philippine Marine Corps. It operates 91 combat ...

. From 1972 to 2012, it was known as and served the

Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the navy, naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (Australia), Chief of Navy (CN) Vice admiral (Australia), Vice Admiral Mark Hammond (admiral), Ma ...

. It was decommissioned in December 2012, was stored until it was sold by the Australian government to the

to assist in improving the country's Humaritarian and Disaster Relief capabilities. Prior to commissioning with the Philippine Navy, the ship, together with the former and , underwent refurbishing, refit, and servicing works in

Cebu Cebu ( ; ), officially the Province of Cebu (; ), is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, and consists of a main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets. The coastal zone of Cebu is identified as a ...

for a few months. The ship was commissioned to Philippine Navy, together with 2 other sisterships and a new landing platform dock, on 1 June 2016 in

Manila Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...

Operational history

In December 2018, BRP ''Agta'' together with , Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Mk 1 (BA-484), ,

Philippine Marine Corps The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) () is a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special operations missions. The Philippine Marines share the traditions of both the US ...

and Naval Special Operations Group units conducted an Amphibious Operation on Minis Island,

Patikul, Sulu Patikul, officially the Municipality of Patikul ( Tausūg: ''Kawman sin Patikul''; ), is a municipality in the province of Sulu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 79,564 people. The provincial capitol and offices a ...

that resulted in the neutralization of seven

Abu Sayyaf Abu Sayyaf (; , ASG), officially known by the Islamic State as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, was a Jihadist militant and piracy, pirate group that followed the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. It was based in and around Jolo and B ...

bandits, apprehension of 10 individuals and the recovery of several firearms and other war materials. The crew of the BRP Agta were later given the

Military Merit Medal (Philippines) The Military Merit MedalThe AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 34-35. is a military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The medal is awarded for heroic achievement or meritorious service du ...

with Spearhead Device for their participation in the operation."Navy fetes Western Mindanao Personnel for Gallantry, Performance"
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References

External links

Philippine Navy Official websiteNaming and Code Designation of PN Ships
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agta (LC-290) Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy of the Philippine Navy 1971 ships Ships built in Queensland

Operational history

See also

References

External links