PHL Navy set to receive third frigate from US

The Philippine Navy is set to receive its third frigate from the United States later this month.

The weather high-endurance cutter, formerly known as USCG Boutwell, will be renamed to Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Andres Bonifacio as a tribute to the revolutionary leader.

The frigate will join its sister ships, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which arrived in the country in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

According to Lt Commander Marineth Domingo, acting director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, the decommissioning by the USCG and the subsequent commissioning ceremonies by the Philippine Navy will be conducted in California on July 21, 8 a.m. (US time).

The Philippine contingent set to witness the commissioning of the cutter at the USCG Base in Alameda, California will be headed by Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan and Offshore Combat Force commander Commodore Robert Empedrad.

Rear Admiral Joseph Vojvodich, Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and Chief Acquisition Officer, will head the American contingent.

US President Barack Obama pledged the USCG Boutwell along with Research Vessel Melville, now called BRP Gregorio Velasquez, to the Philippines during his visit to the country in November 2015 for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit.

Meanwhile, the crew of the BRP Andres Bonifacio led by Capt. Brendo Casaclang will first undergo training and preparations for three months before its maiden voyage tentatively set in October.

The BRP Andres Bonifacio will assume its primary role of ensuring Philippine’ maritime security and sovereignty patrols to protect the people and the state.

The frigate will also serve as a platform to empower and upgrade Filipino soldiers’ knowledge and skills in handling an advanced vessel with high-level equipment. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News