PHILIPPINE Navy's newly-acquired warship Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Andres Bonifacio arrived in Manila on Friday, December 9.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and new US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, together with the Philippine Navy personnel, welcomed the ship at Pier 13 South Harbor, Manila, Friday morning.

BRP Andres Bonifacio is a frigate class, the third of its kind acquired by the country. It will reinforce BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz in the maritime security and sovereign patrols of the Philippine Navy.

The warship was named after Andres Bonifacio, in honor of his "heroism as a Filipino revolutionary leader."

From its port of origin in Alameda, California, BRP Andres Bonifacio made its journey to Hawaii and then to the country.

The National Government acquired the vessel from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles and the Foreign Assistance Act.

The ship, which was decommissioned by the US in early 2016, was a Hamilton-class high endurance cutter. (DDA/Sunnex)