Video shows new Phl warship crossing Panama Canal

MANILA, Philippines - Ever wondered how the Philippines' new warship crossed the Panama Canal?

A day after the government announced that the journey of the BRP Ramon Alacaraz will be documented, a short video of the new warship crossing the waterway was posted on its official Facebook page.

The video, which lasts for two minutes and 34 seconds, is a compilation of clips and images of the vessel as it traverses parts of the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean.

The Philippine Navy earlier reported that the Alcaraz successfully crossed the 82-kilometer waterway last June 18 (US time).

Malacañang said on Tuesday that the new warship will arrive in the Philippines on August 3. It is reportedly en rout to Hawaii, according to a post on its official Facebook page.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte has encouraged the public to follow updates on the Alacaraz, which will be documented by military officers on board the warship with the help of the internet and social media.

Valte said these developments can be seen through the vessel's Facebook and Twitter accounts. Related story: New Phl warship tweets, blogs voyage

The newest ship of the Philippine fleet is a 378-foot Hamilton-class weather high endurance cutter decommissioned by the US Coast Guard that had undergone retrofitting and refurbishment worth P620 million.