THE United States turned over on Thursday (US time) another ship to the Philippine Navy, romping up its military assistance to the country in the form of maritime assets amid the security problem with China in the West Philippine Sea.
The high-endurance cutter USCGC Boutwell was turned over to Philippine Navy officials in Alameda, California. The ship will be commissioned into the service of the Philippine military before it sails for Manila.
The Boutwell was built in 1967.
Cmdr. Marineth Domingo, Navy spokesman, said if the ship, the fourth to be turned over by the US to the Philippines through its Excess Defense Article Program, starts the voyage to the Philippines in October, then it will be in Manila by November.
“After the christening ceremony, there will be a series of training and preparations for the upcoming voyage, tentatively in October this year,” Domingo said of the Navy’s newest acquisition.
Boutwell is the third US cutter that the Obama administration will turn over to the Philippines, as it helps its assets-lacking ally beef up its interdiction and maritime- patrol capabilities in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Two of the ships, christened BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar, are already being used by the military, with del Pilar even serving as the flagship of the Navy.
Last month the Navy also put into service the former US research vessel Melville, the fourth ship from the US.
The turnover of the four ships to the country was announced in November last year by US President Barack Obama during his visit to the country.
Obama said all the three former US Coast Guard cutters should give the country the ability to maintain greater maritime presence and patrols throughout its EEZ, while the Melville will support naval research and law-enforcement activities.
Domingo said the Boutwell would back up ongoing efforts to secure the country’s maritime territory.
It will be “important for the Philippine Navy’s maritime security and sovereignty patrols in line with our mandate to protect the people and the state,” she said of the ship, which will be called BRP Andres Bonifacio.
“Andres Bonifacio because it’s a fitting tribute to our Filipino revolutionary leader,” Domingo said.
Image credits: Boutwell
1 comment
Para sa Philippine Navy, Tatlo ang pakinabang ng Vietnam vintage BRP Andres BONIFACIO (USCGC Boutwell) ;
1. Siguradong gagamitin ng PN sa counter insurgency in Mindanao
2. Can be used to secured the safety of Malampaya OIL Fields Recto bank West Philippine Sea 3. 3. lastly, RELIEF and REHAB operation in times of YOLANDA type tragedy.
kaya lang, mas maganda pa rin IMIMINTINANG COAST GUARD ang Boutwell, hindi na siya magkaroon ng adjustment o pagbabago. DINISENYO siyang COAST GUARD at hindi pang BARKO de GERA..
Kung PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD ang magkokomisyon sa USCG BOUTWEEL, malaking tulong ito upang maprotektahan ang mga PILIPINO FISHERMEN at MA-RECOVER ang SCARBOROUGH SHOAL, may 200 miles ang layo sa ZAMBALES, PANGASINAN at BATAAN..