Sarangani: 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.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) reported in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the BRP Artemio Ricarte's patrol took place from Wednesday to Sunday last week. The mission covered the waters of Gen. Santos City, Sarangani Bay, Sarangani Province, Davao Occidental, Balut Island, and Davao Gulf, as well as the Philippine-Indonesia common borders.

The operation reinforced the Philippine Navy's maritime posture and ensured the safety and security of vital sea lanes and coastal communities in Eastern Mindanao. While conducting their maritime patrol, BRP Artemio Ricarte also conducted a gift-giving-at-sea activity for local fisherfolk fishing in the waters of Kiamba, Maasim, and Maitum in Sarangani Province, as part of celebrating the Christmas season.

A total of 100 food packs were distributed to the local fishermen.