US patrol ships to join Philippine Navy fleet
MANILA, Philippines — Two Cyclone-class coastal patrol ships donated by the United States will officially join the Philippine Navy’s fleet on Sept. 11.
Formerly known as the USS Monsoon and the USS Chinook, the boats will be renamed BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa, respectively, during their formal launch on Monday as Alvarez Class Patrol Vessels (ACPV). Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is expected to attend the ceremonies.
The two ships were decommissioned in Bahrain five months ago after serving under the US Naval Forces Central Command. The Monsoon was commissioned in 1994 and the Chinook a year later.
Navy spokesman Capt. Benjo Negranza announced in March during the turnover of the ships that the Philippine Navy was planning to utilize them for coastal patrol.
The US donated the two ships to the Philippines as part of its Excess Defense Articles program.
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