Naval News takes you on a tour aboard Philippine Navy LPD BRP TARLAC (LD 601), with the Commanding Officer Captain Fredie C Parpan. Tarlac is the largest vessel in the Philippine Navy fleet. This video was recorded in September 2024 during Naval News’ visit to Naval Operating Base Subic.=====================BRP Tarlac was built by Indonesian shipyard PT PAL in Surabaya, Indonesia. It was launched on 17 January 2016 and commissioned into service with the Philippine Navy on June 1, 2016.The 7,200-ton landing platform dock (LPD) is a far cry from the Second World War-era landing ship tanks and donated Australian and American landing craft utilized by the service’s Sealift Amphibious Force. However, like many vessels in the fleet, Tarlac came with many spaces that could support future upgrades, which was communicated to Naval News during a tour of the amphibious assault ship. Since Tarlac’s commissioning in 2016, the vessel has ferried troops and supplies to combat the Islamic State during the Battle of Mawari, conducted Manila’s first-ever port call to Russia, and participated in numerous exercises. Captain Fredie C Parpan highlighted the LPD’s use as a patrol asset for the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea, a section of the South China Sea claimed by Manila under its exclusive economic zone, and its role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Compared to the Second World War-era landing ship tanks and logistic support vessels that could support around 150 embarked troops, Tarlac’s facilities can support 500 — roughly the size of a Philippine Marine Corps or Army battalion — and carry eight amphibious assault vehicles or 15 trucks. Unlike other vessels in the fleet, which lack space or modern facilities, the Tarlac-class holds the unique distinction within the Philippine Navy of having dedicated facilities for very important persons, such as high-ranking officers or the President, onboard.