FINALLY HOME - BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy's newest warship, is welcomed by 27 fishing boats and Philippine Navy patrol gun boat 377 during a sail pass ceremony off the waters of Casiguran sound, Aurora province on August 2, 2013. (Jacqueline Hernandez)
The Philippines' new source of pride, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16), is finally home.
On Friday, a group of journalists, this writer included, were flown to Casiguran, Aurora province on board a Navy Islander aircraft to witness the arrival of Alcaraz, the Navy's second Hamilton-class cutter acquired from the United States.
At around 7:30 a.m., the group of journalists, for the first time, spotted Alcaraz steaming steadily in the waters of Casiguran. The Islander pilot, Lt. Adrian Santos, decided to fly low to allow the journalists to get a good footage of Alcaraz.
Also seen in the vicinity were at least 26 colorful local fishing boats and one Navy patrol gunboat that performed a "sail past" ceremony to welcome the latest addition to the Philippine Navy (PN) fleet.
While the PN announced last Thursday that Alcaraz has arrived n the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), it was only Friday morning that the ship has entered the country's territorial waters.
Alacaraz has been at sea for almost two months since she left Charleston, South Carolina on June 10.
From Charleston, South Carolina, the ship made port stops in Mayport, Florida; San Diego, California; Hawaii, and Guam.
Last Sunday, July 28 at exactly 2:00 p.m., Acaraz left Guam for the final stretch of her journey to the Philippines.
At around 3:00 p.m. Saturday, a meeting procedure will be held off Bolinao, Pangasinan where Alcaraz will be met by its sister ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF 15). From that point, Alcaraz will then be escorted by Del Pilar to Subic Bay.
Del Pilar is the first Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Philippines from the US in 2011.
On August 6, a festive welcome led by President Benigno S. Aquino III and US Abassador Harry K. Thomas will be held for Alacaraz at Subic Bay.
"We find Alcaraz as a source of pride not only for the Philippine Navy but for whole Filipino people that's why we want a festive welcome for her," said Navy spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic.
Fabic said the festive welcome for Alcaraz is aimed to encourage the Filipino people, ignite their patriotism, and show the heroism of the Navy personnel aboard the cutter.
Fabic likewise noted that in all of the ship's port stops on her way to the country, Alcaraz and her crew were given a very warm welcome by the Filipino community in Florida, San Diego, Hawaii, and Guam.
Formerly known as the USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716), the 378-foot High Endurance Cutter was transferred to the Philippines May 2012 in a simple ceremony at the former naval base in Charleston, South Carolina.
Fabic said the vessel was acquired by the Philippines from the US under the Excess Defense Articles and the Foreign Assistance for $15.15 million.
Under Philippine ownership, the vessel was re-christened the BRP Ramon Alcaraz after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Filipino naval hero in World War II.
According to the Navy spokesman, the purchase of the two Hamilton-class cutters is considered as springboard for the PN's capability upgrade and modernization.
He said the Navy's next acquisition will be two brand new frigates.
With the arrival of their new ship, Fabic said: "The morale of our Navy personnel is very high right now because of the coming of the second Hamilton-class and we are very grateful to the present administration for giving the support to the Navy."
The ship is scheduled for commissioning second week of October. Fabic said among the missions that await the ship include maritime security patrol which will cover the West Philippine Sea,disaster response operation, and for maritime security awareness.
http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/25212/Newest_PH_warship_finally_home#.UfuDkY7D9jo
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