BRP Ramon Alcaraz to leave Guam Sunday afternoon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28): BRP Ramon Alcaraz to leave Guam Sunday afternoon

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton-class cutter in service, will leave Naval Base Guam Sunday afternoon for the last leg of its voyage to the Philippines.

"BRP Ramon Alcaraz will begin final voyage to the Philippines when it departs Guam Naval Base at 4 p.m. on Sunday, 28 July 2013," the Philippine Embassy in Washington said in its Twitter account.

The distance from Guam to the Philippines is 1,534 miles or 2, 469 kilometers.

The Filipino frigate had been docked at Pier X-Ray in Guam, following a 10-day voyage across the Pacific Ocean from Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

The vessel's officers and crew received a welcome upon arrival at Guam Naval Base 8:30 a.m. Saturday

Acting Guam Governor Ray Tenorio led the welcome for Capt. Ernesto Baldovino and the Alcaraz's crew

For his part, Baldovino expressed "deepest gratitude" to the Filipino community.

Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic earlier said the vessel is due to arrive at Subic Aug. 4, with President Benigno Aquino III expected to take part in the welcome.

He said the vessel will be commissioned in October and may be deployed to protect the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=548811