(Eagle News)– The Del Pilar-class Frigate BRP FF17 Andres Bonifacio, a United States Navy warship, arrived in Manila on Friday (December 9).
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim joined Philippine Navy in welcoming the ship and its sailors.
The new vessel was named after Bonifacio for his “heroism as a Filipino revolutionary leader and the president of the Tagalog Republic,” a press release said.
Before arriving in the country, the warship spent more than a month at sea, beginning its journey from its port of origin in Alameda, California to Hawaii.
Navy Captain Brendo J. Casaclang is the current captain of the ship.
BRFP Andres Bonifacio was formerly the Weather High Endurance Cutter Boutwell of the US.
US President Barack Obama vowed to give the ship to the Philippines during the APEC Leader’s Summit in November 2015.
