Naval vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio arrives in PHL

Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Andres Bonifacio (FF17) has arrived in Manila on Friday.

The BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) arrived in the Republic of the Philippines, December 8. Read more: https://t.co/E4HhBfM0dI pic.twitter.com/T5Bz7DINF8

— U.S. Embassy Manila (@usembassymanila) December 9, 2016

The Del Pilar-class Frigate (DCPF), the third of its kind to be acquired by the country, was welcomed by the Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday.

 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and new US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim joined PN personnel in welcoming the ship and its sailors who spent three months of preparatory training, familiarization and orientation.

BRP FF17 was named after Bonifacio in honor of his “heroism as a Filipino revolutionary leader and the president of the Tagalog Republic,” a news release said.

“It also serves as a symbol of recognition as he was considered the de facto national hero of the Philippines,” it continued.

Before arriving in the Philippines, BRP Andres Bonifacio spent more than a month at sea, beginning its journey from its port of origin in Alameda, California to Hawaii and finally to the country.

Navy Capt. Brendo J. Casaclang currently acts as the captain of the ship after it was turned over, christened and commissioned to the navy on July 22 in Alameda, California.

BRFP Andres Bonifacio was formerly the Weather High Endurance Cutter Boutwell of the US. Former US President Barack Obama promised the ship to the Philippines in his visit to the country during the APEC Leader’s Summit in November 2015.

Obama also pledged Research Vessel Melville, now BRP Gregorio Velasquez. Like earlier-acquired DCPFs BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF17) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF16), BRP Andres Bonifacio will serve to reinforce maritime security and sovereign patrols of the PN.

“It will also serve as a platform in empowering and upgrading our soldiers’ knowledge and skills in handling high-level and advanced equipment or vessel,” the news release said. — Erwin Colcol/VVP, GMA News