2nd Hamilton-class warship from US arrives

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine Navy's second Hamilton-class cutter from the United States entered the country's area of responsibility early this morning and is expected to dock tomorrow at a former American naval base in Zambales, a senior government official said.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead a ceremony to welcome the warship, named as BRP Alcaraz, next Tuesday.

The vessel sailed for less than a month from San Diego, California, going to the Philippines with a stop in Hawaii and Guam, Valte said.

The acquisition of the second warship, which is a decommissioned Hamilton-class cutter from the US Coast Guard, is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization program, she said.

"The step-by-step upgrading that we are getting in pursuing the modernization in the military has to be done also with an eye to the other programs that we have, given that we have limitations in budget."

The warship was named after Ramon Alcaraz, a member of the Philippine Navy, who fought alongside the US forces during the Second World War.

The Philippines bought a retired Hamilton-class cutter, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, from the US Coast Guard in May 2011.