Submarine tender USS Emory Land with 106 Fil-Am crew members arrives in PHL

A US submarine tender with some 106 Filipino-Americans serving on board arrived in Subic Bay Friday for a routine port call, the United States Embassy in Manila said.

The embassy said the USS Emory S. Land will conduct maintenance, replenish supplies and let the crew have rest and relaxation during the port call.

"While in Subic, the ship’s crew will continue its subject matter expert exchanges with the Philippine Navy.  The crew will also engage in several community service projects with schools, medical institutions, orphanages, and other local community centers, as well as community relations activities such as sports events," it said.

USS Emory S. Land is part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and is homeported in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the embassy said.

According to the Embassy, the submarine tender's crew includes 106 Filipino-Americans out of a total of 410. The other crewmembers include 26 U.S. Navy Sailors and 80 Civilian Mariners.

"They (Filipino-American crewmembers) hail from Botolan, Olongapo City, San Antonio, and Pasay City, and elsewhere in the Philippines," it said.

Some of the Filipino-American crewmembers include:

- Supply Corps Officer Lt. J.G. Michael Agojo, a second-generation Sailor following in the footsteps of his father.
- Logistics Specialist Senior Chief Randy Mangohig, who oversees the professional growth and development of 35 enlisted personnel aboard the ship.
- Chief Petty Officer Nino Miranda, a Sports Community Relations Coordinator for the Morale Welfare and Recreation Office and is part of the Religious Ministries Team.
- Gunners Mate Second Class Veronica Connole, who helps train the crew in safe deployment of the ship’s self-defense weapons.  She also helps with translations between the ship’s crew and the local community in Subic.
- Chief Petty Officer Enrico Manalac, a language interpreter for subject matter expert exchanges with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. - VVP, GMA News

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