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MANILA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Navy is set to formally receive its third Del Pilar Class Frigate (DPCF) from the United States, the military said Thursday.
The ship, a former U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Boutwell, would be turned over to Philippine officials on July 21, 8:00 a.m., U.S. time, at USCG Base in Alameda, California, according to the military.
"The third DCPF will be christened and commissioned into the active service of the Philippine Navy effective July 21 as Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Andres Bonifacio (FF17)," the Navy said in a statement.
The crew will undergo training and preparations for its voyage for almost three months and will tentatively depart the United States in October.
The Navy said that the new vessel, along with Research Vessel Melville now BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR702), was pledged by U.S. President Barrack Obama to the Philippines during his visit to the country in November 2015 on the sidelines of the APEC summit.
