BRP Andres Bonifacio sails to Malaysia for maritime and aerospace exhibition

Philippine Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Rafael Mariano led the send-off ceremony on Tuesday for BRP Andres Bonifacio and more than 200 Navy sailors, a report on Balitanghali said.

The vessel and the sailors will participate in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition or LIMA 2017 to be held from March 21 to 26, GMA News' Oscar Oida reported.

Two Philippine Navy tugboats push the BRP Andres Bonifacio in Manila Bay in preparation for its voyage to Malaysia on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, where it will participate in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA 2017). Danny Pata

The LIMA is one of the most influential exhibits in Asia when it comes to maritime and aerospace defense, civil and commercial aviation, ship building, and ship repair.

Participating in LIMA is a huge opportunity for the Philippine Navy to increase its capabilities, the report said.

The BRP Andres Bonifacio is the newest vessel of the Philippine Navy.

It used to be the US Coast Guard's high endurance cutter until it was decommisioned in early 2016.

The vessel was turned over to the Philippines on July 21, 2016.

The BRP Andres Bonifacio is armed with a 76-mm OTO Melara auto cannon and is capable of sailing at 29 knots.

It will take a week for the BRP Andres Bonifacio to reach Malaysia, the report added. —KG, GMA News