BRP Gregorio Del Pilar to join ‘Komodo’ naval drill in Indonesia

The Filipino frigate first participated in the “Komodo” naval maneuvers, which was held March 28 to April 3, 2014 in Indonesian waters. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15), one of the three ex-Hamilton-class cutters in Philippine Navy (PN) service, will be participating anew in the Indonesian Navy’s “Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo” from May 4 to 9.

The Filipino frigate first participated in the “Komodo” naval maneuvers, which was held March 28 to April 3, 2014 in Indonesian waters.

PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the ship and the naval contingent, numbering some 300 officers and enlisted personnel, will be leaving for Lombok, Indonesia at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor on Friday.

“Komodo”, the third multilateral exercises hosted by the Indonesian Navy, aims to enhance the relationship and cooperation among participating regional/non-regional navies in building common understanding about humanitarian assistance and disaster risk response operations.

Earlier, Lincuna said the three ex-Hamilton-class cutters (Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates) in PN service also play a valuable role in the Navy’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Del Pilar-class frigates weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.

In fact, one of the three ships in the class, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) was deployed to carry 200 tons of emergency supplies and relief goods to “Yolanda”-battered Tacloban City shortly after her commissioning on Nov. 22, 2013.

Her other sisters, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar – acquired on Dec. 14, 2011; and the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), which was commissioned last Dec. 9, 2016, are all capable of doing such missions if needed.