MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from its maiden mission in Tacloban City where it was involved in relief operations for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz was deployed to the West Philippine Sea yesterday.
Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the ship would safeguard critical infrastructure in Palawan, including the Malampaya gas platform. It will also secure Kalayaan Island and some parts of the West Philippine Sea.
He said the ship is “suited for high seas such as the West Philippine Sea.â€
The ship, acquired recently from the US Coast Guard, arrived in Palawan on Wednesday.
Armed Forces Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda said the deployment of BRP Alcaraz to Palawan is part of a “routine mission.â€
“It will patrol our sovereign waters,†he said.
He said the ship would also secure the Sulu Sea, which is projected to yield potential oil reserves of 750 million barrels, enough to cover the country’s daily consumption over seven years.
The BRP Alcaraz was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Navy officer who commanded a patrol boat that shot down three Japanese aircraft during World War II.
The US Coast Guard used the vessel for drug and migrant interdiction, law enforcement, search and rescue, living marine resources protection and defense readiness.
BRP Alcaraz is equipped with a Bushmaster autocannon, a .50 caliber machine gun and M60 light machine gun. – Alexis Romero