Newest addition to PH warships arriving before Christmas
BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), the third Hamilton-class cutter in Philippine Navy (PN) service, departed from California on Nov. 1 (American time) and now headed for home. “Yes, she (BRP Andres Bonifacio) has left Alameda, California on Nov. 1. She is expected to be home by the second week of December,” PN spokesperson Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Wednesday said.
Lincuna said the BRP Andres Bonifacio has a crew of 80 officers and enlisted personnel.
“She will pass by Hawaii and Guam for refueling and provisioning (before heading to the Philippines),” he added.
The USCGC Boutwell was retired from US Coast Guard service last March 16 and handed to the PN last July 21 (American time).
She will be the third Hamilton class cutter in PN service after the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) which were acquired in 2011 and 2013, respectively.
(Update)