'Gregorio del Pilar' now in Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Navy’s newest and most modern frigate, Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), arrived the other day in Palawan to provide much-needed boost to the military’s maritime defense capabilities in the West Philippine Sea.

In a local radio interview, Capt. Alfred Cruz, commanding officer of PF-15, said the ship will conduct maritime security and sovereignty patrols to further protect the country’s territorial waters, as well as conduct search and rescue missions.

The PF-15 will also augment naval security at the Malampaya Natural Gas project and other petroleum service contract areas under the Department of Energy in the West Philippine Sea.

The vessel, according to Cruz, is now the Navy’s largest and fastest, adding that it is equipped with helicopters, the first of which was donated by the Department of Tourism.

With more than a hundred officers and enlisted personnel, the high-endurance Hamilton-class cutter can sustain a month-long mission without re-provisioning.

The home of PF-15 is the Ulugan Bay Naval Station in Barangay Macarascas, 45 kilometers northwest of this city.