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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Goyo' goes back to West PH Sea

'Goyo' goes back to West PH Sea

Published Sep 19, 2022 11:29 am

BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15), a Philippine Navy (PN) patrol ship, is expected to sail back to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) four years after encountering a sea mishap that forced her to be sidelined and undergo repairs.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) (Photo by Philippine Navy)

The PN said that BRP Gregorio del Pilar, named after one of the youngest generals in the Revolutionary Army who was known for his role at the Battle of Tirad Pass and had a monicker Goyo, has undergone several repairs and upgrades since 2018 to ensure the restoration of the ship’s seaworthiness for maritime operations.

"BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS15) is now ready to set sail after years of collective efforts to bring back her operational readiness," said Commander Benjo Negranza, PN spokesperson, on Sunday night, Sept. 18.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar was the PN's flagship vessel when she ran aground at the Hasa Hasa (Half-Moon) Shoal in WPS on August 29, 2018 while conducting a maritime patrol. Its starboard hit a shallow but submerged land feature of the shoal, forcing it to be stuck. Since then, she was towed for a series of sea trials and correction of deficiencies on her propulsion system.

In August of this year, her propulsion system was finally restored, according to Negranza.

"System upgrades were also made, enhancing her capability for maritime domain awareness," Negranza added.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar also "satisfactorily passed" an Operational Readiness Evaluation facilitated by the PN's Fleet Operation Readiness Training and Evaluation Group from Sept. 12 to 16.

"She subsequently upgraded her operational readiness to Ready-for-Sea status and is now underway to her designated area of operations," Negranza said.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is a former United States Coast Guard ship that was acquired by the PN in 2011, and was formally commissioned in December of same year.

She witnessed some of the most crucial moments in the early history of the country's defense of its interests in the WPS, including a staandoff between Filipino and Chinese vessels at the Scarborough (Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag) Shoal in 2012.

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