PH Navy to decommission WW2 ships

The Philippine Navy will begin to decommission its World War Two ships from the US still in active service, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Friday.

“Some time ago I was talking with your Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) and I said we should start decommissioning some of the World War Two ships that the US gave us after the war,” he said in his speech at the welcome ceremonies of BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) at South Harbor on Friday.

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“The FOIC said that as we acquire newer ships like this one, we will decommission some so our maritime capability will not be diminished,” he added.

BRP Andres Bonifacio, the third weather high endurance cutter from the US Coast Guard, arrived after a 38-day voyage from California.

The Philippine Navy ships from the World War Two include the BRP Rajah Humabon, BRP Rizal, BRP Laguna, BRP Malvar and BRP Quezon./rga