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Pinoy Abroad

PHL warship 'Gregorio del Pilar' visits Guam


The Philippines' newest warship, the "BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)," made a two-day stop at Guam last weekend before resuming its voyage from the United States to the Philippines. According to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the ship's crew members received a warm welcome from US officials and members of the Philippine community in Guam. The ship continued its voyage to the Philippines on Tuesday morning, the DFA said. The 378-foot (115-meter) Del Pilar is currently on the last leg of its three-week sea voyage to the Philippines. A decommissioned US ship The Philippines' "BRP Gregorio del Pilar" warship was a decomissioned US ship. It was formerly known as the US Coast Guard Hamilton [High Endurance Cutter (WHEC)-715] and was the US Coast Guard's largest ship. The Philippine government bought the warship for P450 million (roughly US$13.18 million) and was transferred to the Philippine Navy on May 13 this year. The purchase was made with money from the Philippine Malampaya project under the US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. Guam welcome "Filipino-Guamanian members of the Guam Legislature, Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr. and Senator Shirley 'Sam' Mabini, together with Atty. James Espaldon, also a former senator of Guam, and Capt. Ulysses Zalamea of the US Navy, also welcomed the Philippine naval officers," the DFA said. Upon its arrival, the vessel's officers — led by Commanding Officer Capt. Alberto Cruz and Executive Officer Cmdr. RP Lopez — called on Consul General Bayani Mercado. Capt. Joan Cornista, the ship's medical officer and one of the three women from the 95-member crew, also joined the delegation along with Lt. Cornejo, Lt. Baylon, Lt. Donga and Cmdr. Demetrius Hayne, representing the United States Embassy in Manila. "The Consulate General also hosted a welcome luncheon for the naval officers to give them an opportunity to meet some leaders of the Filipino community in Guam," the DFA said. Among the Filipino community leaders were Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) President Leah Beth Naholowaa and FCG Board Chairman Emelio Uy. "After the luncheon, Senator Rodriguez presented a Resolution from the 31st Guam Legislature welcoming the Philippine vessel and its officers and crew and recognizing the historic importance of their voyage," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News

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