InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
CORREGIDOR -- President Benigno Aquino III said the country's second warship will be named after World War II hero Commodore Ramon Alcaraz.
During the 70th commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor on Sunday, Aquino said the best tribute that the country can offer to fallen heroes like Alcaraz is to build a nation capable of protecting itself.
The second Hamilton-class Cutter from the United States Coast Guard is scheduled to arrive in the country within the month.
Alcaraz, during World War II, commanded one of the country's three motor torpedo boats, known as Q-boats.
His Q-112 took down three of the nine Japanese "Zero" fighters before he was captured.
In captivity, Alcaraz headed the prisoner of war camp in Malolos to take care of his fellow POWs.
"For certain, many more Commodore Alcarazes will rise from the ranks of our military. We consider it our duty to ensure that their strength of spirit will be matched by boats, by weapons, and by sufficient training," the President added.
Aside from the second Hamilton-class cutter, Aquino earlier announced that four more combat utility choppers will be acquired by the Armed Forces in November.
He said more than a 100 defense articles will also be acquired under the AFP modernization over the next five years.
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