Third Frigate Acquired From US Set To Depart For Philippines

Philippines’ third ex-US coast Guard cutter BRP Andres Bonifacio purchased from US is set to sail for the home country on Wednesday.

"Provided that weather is favorable, November 1 (US time) is the estimated time of departure of FF17,” Capt. Lued Lincuna of the Navy's public information office said in a statement on Monday.

The officers and enlisted personnel of the BRP Andres Bonifacio will hold a send-off ceremony before the ship weighs anchor.

BRP Andres Bonifacio, a decommissioned US Coast Guard cutter is expected to arrive in the country in December after going through three months of sea trials in Alameda base, California. It was commissioned into the Philippine fleet on July 21.

The Bonifacio's trip home will take an estimated 26 days depending on the weather. The warship will pass through San Diego, Hawaii, and Guam to refuel and to reprovision.

The warship was named after Bonifacio in recognition of his legacy as a leader of the Philippine revolution against Spain, Lincuna said.

The Philippine Army's headquarters, Fort Andres Bonifacio, is also named after him.

BRP Andres Bonifacio will boost the conduct of territorial patrol missions within the country’s exclusive economic zones, The captain said. It can also help in High Availability Disaster Recovery operations during calamities.

The Philippine Navy mainly relies on two frigates, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, for its long-range maritime patrols.

The Navy is also expecting delivery of another Strategic Sealift Vessel from Indonesia, which is the sister ship of BRP Tarlac, the Navy's newest and biggest ship.