(UPDATE) Warship arrives Subic Bay

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines will deploy its newly-acquired second Hamilton-class cutter as soon as the training of personnel and putting up of additional armaments are completed, President Benigno S. Aquino III said today.

Aquino led the welcome rites for BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the second warship that arrived from the United States, in Subic Bay Freeport in northern province of Zambales.

The new ship will help the government fight crimes, heighten its ability to conduct search and rescue operations, and protect its maritime resources, he added.

Manned by 14 officers and 74 enlisted personnel, the ship completed its almost two months of voyage from Charleston, South Carolina by docking at the wharf in Subic.

The Philippines bought the ship for 15 million U.S. dollars through the U.S. Excess Defense Articles program.

The Philippines acquired from the United States last year its first warship named as BRP Gregorio del Pilar.