Warship heads to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - The country's newly acquired Philippine Navy frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) made its final voyage to the Philippines after making a one-night stopover at Naval Base Guam last weekend.

The vessel docked at Pier X-Ray of the naval base on Saturday for refueling and restocking and departed after 32 hours Sunday afternoon.

The ship will travel 1,534 miles or 2, 469 kilometers to reach Philippine territory on August 3 where it will finally dock at Subic Bay on August 4.

While at Guam, commanding officer Capt. Ernesto Baldovino and crew were met by Naval Base Commander Capt. Mike Ward and Guam Consul General Bayani Mangibin in a welcoming Hafa Adai ceremony.

"Being the consul general, I consider this as a monument of friendship between the Philippines and US. And, it came at the same time that we really need such platforms back home in safeguarding our territorial waters," Mangibin said, adding that one in three residents of Guam has Filipino ancestry.

Ward also extended "friendship" to the Philippines as an ally of the United States Navy.

"It is wonderful to have BRP Alcaraz here in the base in Guam, which is always a stopping port for different ships from different Navies all over the world," Ward said.

The crew was also welcomed by the Filipino community led by Acting Guam Governor Ray Tenorio.

"On all our port visits, the support of the Filipino Community is truly overwhelming. Their genuine hospitality can wash away the salty homesickness we brought along with us from our lonely times at sea," Lt. Errol dela Cruz writes in the Alcaraz's blog.

Before reaching Guam, the Alcaraz made stopovers in San Diego, California and Hawaii before heading to the Philippines.