Gunboat from U.S. commissioned

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday announced the commissioning of an 82-foot gunboat from the U.S. as a new addition to the Philippine Navy's fleet.

In a simple ceremony at a naval base outside Manila, Arroyo commissioned the BRP Abraham Campo, a former United States Coast Guard cutter, on active service for the Philippine Navy for law enforcement patrols and marine environmental protection duty.

The vessel, formerly the Pt Doran, was delivered to the Philippines Navy in September as part of the U.S. assistance to the Philippines military under the Excess Defence Article Programme.

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Defence Peter Brooke and U.S. Charge d'Affaires Robert Fitts witnessed the commissioning of the vessel together with Philippines defence and military officials.

The vessel was named in honour of Abraham Campo, a Philippines naval officer, who served during World War II. In his remarks, Fitts said the transfer of the patrol gunboat represented the continuing and strengthening Philippines-America security relationship.

"Our alliance has emerged strengthened and adapted to new realities. And it is now showing that flexibility and strength in the face of the global and domestic terrorist challenge," Fitts added.

"With our shared democratic values, our two nations play a major role for stability and democracy in this region."