Welcome BRP Gregorio del Pilar

I wrote a similar discussion months ago before the Hamilton class cutter even arrived and I would like to add to this discussion what the ship is and what it is not. Firstly it is - the biggest and newest ship in our aging fleet. - it would help in patrolling our seas against pirates and foreign poachers. - it would help in search and rescue operations when there are disasters since it has a helicopter hangar and and would compliment the brand new polish helicopters that we are also procuring and cover larger areas since we are a country composed of islands. - it would boost the morale of our small isolated force garrisoned in the Sprately islands and seems to reinforce our mutual defense pact with the U.S.( they trained us a few months ago thru balikatan on anti submarine warfare using a similar but larger and definitely more modern craft. - it could be a good sign that we are starting to modernize our armed forces and at least we see alittle bit of where our money is going. Now what it is not: - it cannot deter an emerging power that boasts of an aircraft carrier, submarines and lately stealth fighter bombers, it's a sitting duck but sinking it would cause an international row. The name Gregorio del Pilar is an irony since we bought the ship from the United States. Gregorio del Pilar is the youngest general in the Philippine revolution and later Filipino -American war and was assigned as rear guard to slow down the American advance and capture of Emilio Aguinaldo (president of the first Philippine republic). He defended Tirad pass, together with 60 valiant men and killed a lot of American soldiers until a traitor showed another way in. He's whole command was wiped out but he gained so much respect even from his American adversaries.

Hmmm, let us not think about any war, especially with China who is our biggest co-Asian neighbor. We don't want trouble in our continent, do we? Consider BRP Greg our lookout, our watchboat while we slumber in our homes...

The acquisition of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is a positive move by the government to boost its aging Philippine Fleet. Although we have acquired an old vessel from our allies, with Filipino ingenuity and dedication we can make it into a formidable ship able to withstand the strongest of foes. The country has the best and brightest in terms of shipbuilding and modifications. We are a proud race. In times of war and disaster we are united by blood and honor. We are the best. My the arrival of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar signal the rebirth of the most majestic fleet in Southeast Asia.

I think a 50 year old warship is better than the previous warship that we had which was a remnant from World War II. Remember that we still have the Filipino blood, no matter how old our equipment is or how primitive our weapons can be, we have a warriors blood that seems to overcome any modern equipments. History has proven this fact again and again.