PCG first-ever hospital ship to be named after ex-Sen. Gordon’s mother

ON TO NEW MISSIONS Now in the hands of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the MV Amazing Grace will still be used as a humanitarian vessel but may now venture into unfamiliar waters so to speak, such as far out into the West Philippine Sea. It still bears the symbol of its previous operator, the Philippine Red Cross, in this file photo. —PHOTO COURTESY OF PCG

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) first-ever hospital ship will be named after the mother of former senator and Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chief Richard Gordon.

PRC said the MV PRC Amazing Grace will be commissioned as BRP Amelia Gordon with both sides finalizing the operational details of the donation which was already formalized on Jan. 30.

Gordon said the soon-to-be BRP Amelia Gordon served the PRC well as “emergency units’ rapid transport and landing vessel, relief supply transport ship, hospital ship, medical facility deployment ship, sea rescue vessel, mass evacuation vessel, humanitarian logistics ship, mobile operations command post, and humanitarian education and training ship” for more than seven years.

READ: PH Red Cross launches humanitarian ship M/V Amazing Grace

“The MV PRC Amazing Grace has served the Red Cross well in delivering aid and conducting rescue operations during times of disaster,” Gordon said in a statement on Wednesday. “Now, it will continue its service to the Filipino people by safeguarding our territorial waters and responding to emergencies at sea.”

The 55-meter vessel was first acquired by PRC in 2017 and is capable of carrying 6×6 trucks and ambulances.

It was a landing craft prototype built by the United States Navy to transport military equipment like battle tanks.

“The vessel’s transition from humanitarian service to national defense reflects the spirit of Filipino unity and resilience,” Gordon said. “In these times, we must all do our part in protecting the sovereignty of our nation, whether on land or at sea.”

PCG said Gordon hoped this ship would be used in West Philippine Sea missions.

Previously, China Coast Guard’s hospital ship had already been spotted during its missions in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, a claim effectively dismissed by an international tribunal ruling in 2016.

PCG chief Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said this ship will be a “critical asset” for the humanitarian service which leads the resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Rest assured, the PCG will maximize its potential to serve the Filipino people,” Gavan was quoted by PRC as saying.