PH Navy set to have 2nd ‘big ship’
THE Philippine Navy will have its second Hamilton ship within the year.
Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the arrival of the second Hamilton ship from the US is part of the navy’s capability enhancement program.
“Hopefully kung hindi lang maantala yung procurement process, mga papeles, we will have it within this year,” he said.
In July last year, the first Hamilton ship, renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar, arrived in the Philippines.
The 378-foot Hamilton-class cutter is a decommissioned United States Coast Guard patrol vessel that the Philippines acquired under the United States Excess Defense Act.
The cutters are called “Hamilton class” after their lead ship, the Hamilton, named after Alexander Hamilton, the first US secretary of the Treasury.)
Last Friday, four brand- new helicopters from Poland arrived for the Philippine Air Force.
Pama said while their Hamilton ship is not brand-new, it is still very capable.
“Sa amin sa Navy, siyempre maganda yung brand new. But when you talk of big ship, maraming sistema na dapat pag-aralan. For us, having a second-hand asset is not as bad because it serves a lot of purposes,” he told reporters.
“Instead of having something new, mas mabuti nang unti-unti nating pinag-aaralan ito,” he added.
Pama said coup attempts rumors are nonexistent in the Philippine Navy.
Pama was in Cebu to attend the change of Command of the Naval Forces Central at the Naval Base Rafael Ramos gym in barangay Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City.
Acting chief Captain Ingemar Pernes replaced Commodore Zyril Carlos who was reassigned to the AFP General Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee as its chairperson.
Pernes said he will continue the programs that Carlos has started in his one-year stint as Navforcen chief.
Pernes is a graduate from the Philippine Military Academy of Class 1985.
Central Command’s deputy commander, Brigadier General Alejandro Estomo attended the change of command as well as military officials in the Visayas, including police officials from Lapu-Lapu City./CORRESPONDENT CARMEL LOISE MATUS
