Navy warship gets baptism of fire in Shoal standoff

MANILA, Philippines - The standoff at Scarborough Shoal, which Filipinos call Panatag Shoal, is a baptism of fire for the Navy’s largest warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar, its officers and crew.

The decades-old vessel acquired from the US last year did not encounter any intruder before this week’s incident, which involved two Chinese surveillance ships.

“What is interesting is the ship was in Palawan since Christmas and nothing happened. It’s been in Scarborough Shoal for just a day and this incident happened,” Navy chief Vice Adm. Alexander Pama remarked.

The Gregorio del Pilar was deployed to Panatag Shoal last Sunday on a mission to protect the country’s marine environment and sovereignty. The Panatag Shoal is located 124 nautical miles from the nearest base point in Zambales.

On Sunday, the Navy monitored eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored inside the shoal while conducting security patrol.

The Gregorio del Pilar sent a boarding team on Tuesday to inspect the fishing vessels and collect evidence of their catch. The team found illegally collected corals, giant clams and live sharks inside the vessels.

However, two Chinese surveillance ships placed themselves between the Gregorio del Pilar and the fishing vessels, preventing the arrest of the erring fishermen. The standoff has not been resolved as of this writing.

While critics claim the incident proved that China is not afraid of the Philippines’ warship, Pama said this boosted the morale of the Filipino sailors.

Pama was particularly impressed with Gregorio del Pilar’s commanding officer Capt. Alberto Cruz, whom he described as “mature” and “professional.”

“The guy (Cruz) is mature, levelheaded and very professional. I have trust and confidence that he can handle the situation,” Pama said.

“I have confidence that the officers and personnel of BRP del Pilar will perform their job properly,” he added.

Pama said Cruz was chosen to lead the Navy’s largest warship because of his capabilities and professionalism.

“Part of the criteria (for the selection of the BRP del Pilar commanding officer) is the person should be levelheaded,” he said.

Cruz hails from Rizal and is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’88.

During the commissioning of the Gregorio del Pilar last Dec. 14, Cruz told reporters that he and his crew would not mind spending Christmas on the ship.

The soft-spoken Navy officer noted that this is part of their job as soldiers of the county.

“This (ship) will secure the territory of the Philippines,” Cruz said.

Cruz also had kind words for the 162-strong officers and crew of the ship. 

“They (BRP del Pilar officers and crew) are part of the Navy’s cream of the crop,” he said.

The BRP del Pilar is a 380 feet-long vessel and was acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales program.

The ship’s transfer costs were pegged at about P450 million, bankrolled by proceeds from the Malampaya funds.