PH acquires another ship from US to boost naval fleet

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. on Sunday saw off the BRP Ramon Alcaraz from Charleston, South Carolina, on its journey to its new home port in the Philippines.

Cuisia challenged the crew of the Alcaraz, named for a Filipino World War II hero, to live up to the ship’s namesake.

“As you know, there are some tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and this may put you in harm’s way, but there is no doubt that you will perform your duty of protecting Philippine territory if needed,” Cuisia told the 88 officers and crew of the Philippines’ newest naval asset at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston.

“We do not want to see a confrontation and we are hoping that diplomatic efforts would ease these tensions. We are for peace and for the stability of the region, but at the same time we are prepared to defend what is ours,” Cuisia said, referring to the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

The Alcaraz, a 115-meter decommissioned US Coast Guard ship that the Philippines acquired last year, underwent $15.5-million (P620 million) refitting and refurbishment and sea trials in May.

It is expected to arrive in the Philippines in the first week of August, the Philippine Embassy in the United States said.

The Hamilton-class weather high endurance cutter had served as the US Coast Guard’s USCGC Dallas for four decades before it was turned over to the Philippine Navy under the Excess Defense Article Military Assistance Program of the United States.

“We look forward to the Alcaraz joining its sister ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. We look forward to further upgrading the capabilities of the Philippine Navy,” Cuisia added.