Photos posted on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz’s Facebook page on Tuesday (Philippine time) showed the crew busy making preparations for the trip home.
“(The ship’s crewmembers are) conducting refueling, coordination on the engineering requirements, admin(istrative) and logistical requirements and the testing of other equipment to be utilized during the voyage,” the captions on the photos read.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected to reach the Philippines on August 3.
During its stay in Hawaii, the crew headed by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino toured the USS Arizona Memorial.
Five enlisted personnel of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz also took their oaths of re-enlistment:
EN2 Regidor Labrador, EN3 Tomas Ciruelos Jr.,
EN3 Ernesto Cabahug,
S2YN Erica Celemin, and
EN3 Marlon Martonito.
Last weekend, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrived in Hawaii to a warm welcome from the Filipino-American community there.
An earlier Philippines News Agency report said Hawaii is the frigate’s second port call en route to the Philippines.
Last June 28, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) docked at San Diego 28 for refueling and re-provisioning.
Following its Aug. 3 arrival, the newest warship may be commissioned in September.
The ship is named after Filipino naval hero Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, who gained distinction in World War II by shooting down three Japanese Zero fighters who tried to attack his ship. – VVP, GMA News
