DFA file photo of BRP Ramon Alcaraz
BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16) will be sent to the West Philippine Sea to conduct sovereignty patrols in the area, which is also being claimed by China.
The Philippine Navy's second Hamilton-class cutter arrived in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Tuesday and was deployed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command whose area of responsibility includes the Kalayaan Island Group and some parts of the West Philippine Sea, according to Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic.
Fabic said the ship, which is capable of operating in rough weather and deep sea conditions, would be also utilized to safeguard critical infrastructures such as the Malampaya oil gas separation platform off the Palawan coastline.
"These ships (BRP Ramon Alcaraz and sister-ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15)) are ideal vessels (due to their large size and excellent sea-keeping qualities) for high seas patrols, they are not limited to coastal operations," Fabic said.
BRP Gregorio del Pilar is still serving as communications-and-command ship off Tacloban City, which is still reeling from the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).
Prior to the ship's deployment to Palawan, BRP Ramon Alcaraz stayed for three weeks off Tacloban, helping the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the city.
The frigate was commissioned last November 22 and sent to Tacloban with 123.7 relief goods and 12 Navy Seabees the same day.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/76732/brp-ramon-alcaraz-to-conduct-sovereignty-patrols-in-west-philippine-sea
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