GMA commissions Navy patrol vessel

SANGLEY POINT, Cavite – President Arroyo commissioned yesterday a former United States Coast Guard cutter to help the Philippines in its efforts against terrorists.

In a brief ceremony here attended by top officials of the Philippine Navy and the local Coast Guard, the President put into work the 82-foot armed boat which used to carry the name Pt. Doran.

The boat has been extensively used by the US Coast Guard since 1970 until it was placed under the US Excess Defense Article program and donated to the Philippines.

US Assistant Secretary of Defense Peter Brooks witnessed the commissioning of the cutter, which has been renamed BRP Abraham Campo in honor of the Navy captain who successfully commandeered a supply ship and sailed through enemy lines during World War II.

The President said the Navy would use the refurbished cutter "for patrol and to support amphibious landing operations."

The BRP Abraham Campo is capable of patrolling 300 nautical miles at high speeds. It would be now used in safeguarding the Philippine waters from poachers and sea pirates.

Mrs. Arroyo obtained $100 million in military aid during her recent visit to the United States. Aside from the cutter, a surplus Hercules C-130 troop transport arrived in the country last week.

She expressed confidence that the assistance would boost her government’s efforts to combat insurgencies, including the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim bandit group with links to Saudi-born terrorist Osama bin Laden, the main suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks in the US. – Marichu Villanueva