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PHL attempts to 'modernize' Navy with 46-year-old warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz
By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News
(UPDATED 1:00 p.m.) - President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday welcomed the arrival of the Philippines's newly acquired warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a 46-year-old Hamilton-class cutter expected to strengthen the country's capability in defending its territories.
On board the BRP Ang Pangulo, Aquino witnessed the docking of the BRP Alcaraz at Alva Pier in Subic at around 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday.
In a speech during the event, Aquino said, "ngayong narito na rin ang BRP Alcaraz, tiyak na lalo pang mapapaigting ang pagpapatrolya natin sa Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone; at ang kakayahan nating sugpuin ang anumang banta at masasamang elemento, tumugon sa search and rescue operations, at sa pangangalaga ng ating mga yamang-dagat."
In a speech during the event, Aquino said, "ngayong narito na rin ang BRP Alcaraz, tiyak na lalo pang mapapaigting ang pagpapatrolya natin sa Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone; at ang kakayahan nating sugpuin ang anumang banta at masasamang elemento, tumugon sa search and rescue operations, at sa pangangalaga ng ating mga yamang-dagat."
"Ganitong mga positibong resulta ang nagbibigay-lakas sa ating pamahalaan upang lalo pang isulong ang modernisasyon sa ating kasundaluhan. Binubura na po natin ang dating imahen ng kulang-kulang na kagamitan at pahirapang kalagayan ng ating mga kawal ng bayan," Aquino added.
He noted that during his three years as President, P27.62 billion have been spent for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
"Hinigitan na natin ang P26.27 billion na ginastos para sa inyong modernisasyon sa nakalipas na mahigit siyam na taon bago tayo maupo sa katungkulan. Noong nakaraang taon, nilagdaan na rin natin ang Revised AFP Modernization Act, na nagpatibay sa labinlimang taong ekstensiyon ng programa, kaakibat ang paglalaan ng pitumpu’t limang bilyong pisong pondo sa unang limang taon ng implementasyon nito," Aquino said.
He noted that during his three years as President, P27.62 billion have been spent for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
"Hinigitan na natin ang P26.27 billion na ginastos para sa inyong modernisasyon sa nakalipas na mahigit siyam na taon bago tayo maupo sa katungkulan. Noong nakaraang taon, nilagdaan na rin natin ang Revised AFP Modernization Act, na nagpatibay sa labinlimang taong ekstensiyon ng programa, kaakibat ang paglalaan ng pitumpu’t limang bilyong pisong pondo sa unang limang taon ng implementasyon nito," Aquino said.
The arrival of the BRP Alcaraz came amid the country's ongoing territorial dispute with China over portions of the vast South China Sea.
The Philippine Navy had earlier said that BRP Alcaraz may be stationed in the disputed West Philippine Sea along with the Navy's other warship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar.
With the newly acquired warship, Flag officer in command Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano said the Philippine Navy is getting a "significant boost in its capabilities in keeping our archipelagic waters secured and safe."
"Similar to her sister ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar, PF-16 [Alcaraz] is equipped with armaments and equipment to undertake missions for territorial defense, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response," he said during a separate speech.
"The Philippine Navy deliberately but steadily and more surely is developing its capabilities as the Philippines take greater participation in contributing to the stability and security in the region," he added.
New ship, new weapons
Last week, BRP Alcaraz arrived in the country from San Diego in California after traversing Hawaii and Guam.
The warship was named after Filipino naval hero Commodore Ramon "Monching" Alcaraz, who gained distinction during the World War II by shooting down three Japanese Zero fighters who tried to attack his ship.
It is the second Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Philippines under the Excess Defense Article and Military Assistance Program after BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15).
The 378-foot-long warship was originally commissioned in 1967 and served in the US Coast Guard as the USCGC Dallas. It was decommissioned on March 30, 2012 and turned over to the Philippines in May 22, 2012.
According to the US Coast Guard, these types of Hamilton Class cutters are powered by diesel engines and gas turbines, and have controllable-pitch propellers.
When they were deployed by the US Coast Guard, the ship was armed with a Mk. 75 Oto Melara 76 mm compact main gun, two Mk. 38 M2424 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun at midships, and a Phalanx CIWS system aft.
According to the US Coast Guard, the cutter also has a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter deployments.
GMA News Online, however, had earlier learned that all the weapons were "stripped off" the warship except for the main gun 76 mm Oto Melara cannon as part of the agreement between the two governments.
However, according to the Palace, the Philippine Navy purchased two new Mk. 38 mod 2 gun systems to replace the mounts removed by the US Coast Guard.
The ship had been refurbished and refitted at a cost of $15.15 million since it was acquired by the Philippines.
According to Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, the BRP Alcaraz will be dry docked for at least two months while they iron out some security details in preparation for its blessing in October.
He also said the ship will be painted gray from its white color.
Weakest in the region?
The Philippine military is considered one of the weakest in the region and it has been seeking more US aid to boost its capabilities.
The government last week said US military aid to Manila would increase more than 60 percent to 50 million dollars this year, with a possible acquisition of a third naval cutter.
Small numbers of US forces rotate for training in the Philippines, although the defence department has recently said it was in talks with its American counterparts for joint use of Philippine bases.
US Navy P3 Orion surveillance aircraft have also been helping the Philippines gather intelligence on what Manila has said is an increasing Chinese military build-up in the South China Sea.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to its smaller neighbours. The dispute has long been considered a potential flashpoint of conflict in the region.
Subic, along with the nearby Clark air base, were longtime US military facilities, playing key roles from World War II to the Vietnam War and during the Cold War.
The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to shut down US bases in the country. —Agence France-Presse - with a report from Agence France-Presse/VVP, GMA News
Weakest in the region?
The Philippine military is considered one of the weakest in the region and it has been seeking more US aid to boost its capabilities.
The government last week said US military aid to Manila would increase more than 60 percent to 50 million dollars this year, with a possible acquisition of a third naval cutter.
Small numbers of US forces rotate for training in the Philippines, although the defence department has recently said it was in talks with its American counterparts for joint use of Philippine bases.
US Navy P3 Orion surveillance aircraft have also been helping the Philippines gather intelligence on what Manila has said is an increasing Chinese military build-up in the South China Sea.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to its smaller neighbours. The dispute has long been considered a potential flashpoint of conflict in the region.
Subic, along with the nearby Clark air base, were longtime US military facilities, playing key roles from World War II to the Vietnam War and during the Cold War.
The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to shut down US bases in the country. —Agence France-Presse - with a report from Agence France-Presse/VVP, GMA News
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