US President Barack Obama visits PH Navy flagship, pledges two more ships as aid

In his second visit to the country, US president Barack Obama promised maritime security assistance to the Philippines.

Obama promises to donate two more ships to the Philippine Navy during his visit aboard the Philippine Navy flagship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar today.

"I can announce that we intend to transfer two additional ships to the Philippine Navy, research vessels to help man its territorial waters and another Coast Guard Cutter to bolster the Navy's ability to conduct long endurance patrol"

From the airport, US President Obama visited BRP Gregorio Del Pilar at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila Bay.

This is the same vessel deployed to the West Philippine Sea and Northern Luzon to keep the country’s maritime security.

BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is a former Hamilton-Class Cutter previously owned by the US Coast Guard and the first ship turned over to the Philippines by US in 2011 and now serves as the Philippine Navy’s flagship.

With the planned donation of two more ships, Rear Admiral Leopoldo M. Alano said that it will be a big help for the Philippine Navy to have three vessels patrolling Philippine waters for maritime security.

"It will add another to our inventory in patrolling again our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone to add to the first two WHECs that were donated (by US)"

Meanwhile, the Arleigh Burke-class USS Fitzgerald guided-missile destroyer also arrived in Manila Bay yesterday.

Photo from: clker

This is a day before the scheduled arrival to the country of US president Obama for the APEC Summit-2015.

The ship is on a five-day support mission to the Philippines and the last US vessel to conduct routine patrol in West Philippine Sea.

USS Fitzgerald is under the command of US Navy 7th fleet.