Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin
MANILA, Philippines – The United States (US) will strip down the USS Dallas of its modern equipment before being transferred to the Philippine Navy despite appeals from the Philippine officials.
Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said in a text message “it will be the same as the [BRP Gregorio] del Pilar,” a sister ship of the Dallas that was earlier acquired by the Navy without its on board weapons and communications systems.
The Dallas, a 45-year-old retired ship of the US Coast Guard, was acquired by the Philippines for about P450 million, or $10 million, which was almost the same price as the earlier acquired BRP Gregorio del Pilar.
The Dallas was expected to arrive during the latter part of the year and will be renamed the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a former Filipino naval officer who fought against the Japanese in World War II.
General Jessie Dellosa, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, will formally accept the Dallas in a turnover ceremony to be held in Charleston, South Carolina, Tuesday.
BRP Alcaraz will undergo retrofitting and refurbishing and a crew of Filipino sailors will undergo training in the US before the ship will be brought into the country.