U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Hamilton Cutter transfers to Philippine Navy

A May 18, 2011 press release prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. reported that Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. formally accepted the transfer of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Hamilton Cutter during formal ceremonies held in Alameda, California on May 13.

Ambassador Cuisia was accompanied at the ceremony by San Francisco Consul General Marciano A. Paynor Jr., Captain Antonio A. Habulan of the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., and Colonel Edwin Erni of the Philippine National Police Office in San Francisco.

Vice Admiral Manson Brown, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West, signed the transfer documents for the U.S. government.

In his remarks during the transfer ceremony, Ambassador Cuisia noted that the success of the project is an indication of the robust Philippine-U.S. partnership and serves as an expression of the U.S.’ commitment to help the Philippines protect its maritime domain.

The cutter will officially become the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, with Captain Alberto Cruz at the helm.  He is part of a group of eight officers and 13 enlisted personnel from the Philippine Navy, who are currently undergoing training with the USCG.

The U.S. Coast Guard is an important component in Philippine-U.S. defense and security cooperation.

The Philippine Navy has acquired other vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard in the past, including two 82-foot patrol boats, the USCG Point Evans and USCG Point Doran, whose transfers were effected in December 1999 and March 2001, respectively.

Moreover, the U.S. international cadet program benefits students from the Philippines who train and interact with other students at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy located in New London, Connecticut.