Navy’s new warship set to depart for PH

BRP Andres Bonifacio. Photo by Frances Mangosing

The Philippine Navy’s third warship, BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF17), is ready to sail for the Philippines this week.

Captain Lued Lincuna, director of naval public affairs office, said the Del Pilar class frigate will leave the US Coast Guard in Alameda Base, California tentatively on Nov. 1, after three months of sea trials.

“November 1 (US time) is the estimated time of departure of FF17 in the condition that weather is favorable,” he said on Monday.

READ: US ship to be turned over to PH Navy

The ship will be at sea for more than 26 days and will pass San Diego, Hawaii and Guam for refuel and reprovision.

“The FF17 is a significant addition to the Navy’s inventory of ships in order to boost the conduct of territorial patrol missions within our EEZ. The ship can also be used for HADR operations during search and rescue at sea and limited transport of relief goods and personnel to affected areas,” Lincuna said.

The Navy earlier said that the ship was named after Andres Bonifacio in recognition of his legacy as a revolutionary leader and the President of the Tagalog Republic. It is also in respect of him as de facto national hero of the Philippines.

The ship is skippered by Captain Brendo J. Casaclang.

When US President Barack Obama visited the Philippines in November last year, he pledged this former US Coast Guard cutter to the Philippines, along with a research vessel, now known as BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR702), in a bid to boost the Philippine Navy’s maritime capabilities amid China’s massive claims in the South China Sea.

The Philippines’ other two Del Pilar class frigates are the BRP Gregorio del PIlar (FF15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF16). JE/rga