Aquino commissions ship that will patrol disputed territory
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III led Wednesday the commissioning ceremony of the Philippine Navy’s additional assets, including a refurbished ship that will patrol a territory claimed by various countries.
Among the navy assets that were commissioned Wednesday are the newly acquired Hamilton Class cutter Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Gregorio del Pilar and the new Landing Craft Utility (LCU) BRP Tagbanua.
BRP Gregorio del Pilar, acquired by the government through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program, arrived in the Philippines from the United States last August. The US-made vessel was bought using funds from the Malampaya Gas-to-Power Project of the Department of Energy.
According to Aquino, the BRP-Gregorio del Pilar will primarily patrol the West Philippine Sea, a territory claimed by various countries, including China. He also expressed hope that another Hamilton Class cutter will arrive in the country from the US.
The BRP Tagbanua was also commissioned into service on Wednesday. The Filipino-made vessel is primarily configured to transport combat personnel, tanks, vehicles, artillery equipment, and cargoes in support of military amphibious operations.
It also has capabilities to perform non-combatant evacuation; medical assistance projects; disaster, rescue, and relief operations; and transport/logistics mission in support of the government’s socio-economic projects. It was built using the AFP Modernization Fund.
The Navy also tested the newly-refurbished BO105 helicopter donated by Department of Tourism.
It also commissioned and renamed the Presidential Yacht BRP Ang Pangulo, formerly the BRP Pag-Asa.
These new naval assets will be used to ensure greater peace and security in the country, Aquino said in his speech during the christening of the equipment at Manila’s South Harbor.
He added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should put its focus not only on internal threats but also on external challenges.
“Kailangang ituon ng sandatahang lakas ang pansin sa mga banta — hindi lamang sa loob ng bansa, ngunit ngayon, maging sa mga panlabas na hamon. Bilang isang arkipelago na may 36,000 nautical miles na baybayin, mahalaga pong magkaroon tayo ng sapat at matatag na depensa upang mabantayan ang ating mga isla,” he said.
Aquino said the country should modernize its military by acquiring new weapons and equipment and increasing the readiness of its forces.
The Navy’s acquisition of these assets is a major thrust of the government to strengthen the country’s maritime defenses, he added.
The Chief Executive thanked the men and women in the Navy for their unwavering dedication to serve the country by securing the country’s borders.
“Sumasaludo ako sa puspusang pagsusumikap at patuloy na pagkayod ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, sa pangunguna ni Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, upang magampanan ang kanilang tungkulin sa bayan. Hindi po tayo makakarating sa pagkakataong ito kundi dahil sa tatag at dedikasyon ninyo,” he said.
The continuing modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces is a manifestation of the righteous path that the country is taking, President Aquino said.
Although the military has limited resources, he said it was able to carry out its modernization program through prudent spending.
“Patunay ang narating nating ito sa layo ng kaya nating abutin kung sama-sama lamang tayong magsasagwan, at iisang direksyon ang ating tatahakin. Sa likod ng ating pagsulong, huwag sana nating lilimutin na mahaba pa ang ating lalakbayin. Manatili sana tayong nakatutok sa ating layunin, kumapit nawa tayo sa inaasam nating tunguhin: isang Pilipinas na mas matatag, mas maginhawa, mas mapayapa, at natatanglawan ng wagas na liwanag,” he said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/12/14/aquino-commissions-ship-will-patrol-disputed-territory-195834
