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PNoy inspects PHL Navy warship Gregorio del Pilar


President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday inspected the country's first Hamilton class cutter, the newly acquired and refurbished BRP Gregorio del Pilar. In his speech, Aquino said BRP Del Pilar will further modernize the Armed Forces. "Ngayong may BRP Gregorio del Pilar nang magagamit ang ating naval forces, maitataas din natin ang antas ng kanilang kakayahan," he said. The Philippine Navy will be using the vessel for maritime security patrols and search and rescue operations. More specifically, it will be deployed to aid in the maritime security of the Malampaya Project located west of Palawan. "Magpapatrolya at magbabantay sa ating Philippine exclusive economic zone, gayundin sa mga DOE (Department of Energy) service contract areas," Aquino said. "Makakatulong din ito hindi lang sa pagpigil sa paglabas masok ng mga ipinagbabawal na gamot sa ating bansa kundi maging sa mga search and rescue operations, sa pangangalaga ng ating yamang dagat, gayundin sa pagtugis sa mga masasamang loob na nagbabalak na pumasok sa ating kapuluan," he added.

BRP Del Pilar is powered by combined diesel engines and gas turbines and is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations. Also present during the ceremonies were United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Communications Operations head Herminio Coloma Jr. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News
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