The Philippine Navy deployed its newly-acquired warship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar to the West Philippine Sea, also known as South China Sea, on Friday.
The Navy’s biggest and most modern warship to date, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15) will provide security to the Malampaya natural gas-to-power project off Palawan.
It will also “defend the country’s territory and exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea,” where the Philippines has overlapping claims with Vietnam and China.
The ship was deployed at 6 p.m. after simple send-off ceremonies led by Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jose Luis Alano.
The crew, who include handpicked Navy sailors, pilots and troops and Marines under the command of Capt. Alberto Cruz, will spend Christmas at sea pursuing the mission.
Navy spokesperson Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said BRP Gregorio Del Pilar would join BRP Rajah Humabon (PF11) and BRP Federico Martir (PG385) in seeing to the security of the Malampaya project.
He said other ships were also deployed under the Naval Forces West under the command of Commodore Joseph Rostum Peña to patrol what Malacañang has called the West Philippine Sea and areas surrounding Palawan.