Retrieval of grounded Navy ship BRP Del Pilar

The Philippine military is investigating the possible causes of the grounding of BRP Gregorio del Pilar in the vicinity of Hasa-Hasa Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

"All afloat vessels in the Western Command area have already been mobilized to conduct assessment, retrieve the aground vessel and return her to safe harbor, and assist all personnel aboard BRP Del Pilar," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

The Philippine Navy has dispatched ships to assess, retrieve and bring flasghip BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) to safe harbor after it ran aground on Hasa-Hasa Shoal (Half Moon Shoal).

The Philippine News Agency quotes Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirming the ship had run aground and saying: "It is still there and the Navy is still assessing damage before pulling it out." 

The Del Pilar is a former US Coast Guard cutter and is the lead ship of her class. The other fomer Hamilton-class ships in the Philippine Navy are BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-15).