Navy’s first missile-capable warship to be tested in Hawaii

MANILA, Philippines — The warfare capabilities of the Philippine Navy’s new and very first missile-capable warship will be tested at the 2020 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise that began yesterday in Hawaii, USA.

BRP Jose Rizal, with a crew of 125 sailors, is participating in the international naval exercise scheduled from Aug. 17 to 31.

Philippine Navy chief, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, said the RIMPAC 2020 is an important exercise because the frigate will be given a chance to apply its capabilities in the drills and activities of the event.

He noted that the four dimensions of naval warfare that include anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and electronics will be used and tested by personnel.

“It is only through constant use will any imperfections of our boat be revealed,” he said in a radio interview in mixed English and Filipino over dzBB on Sunday.

“While still under warranty we should observe whatever imperfections that will come up,” he said, and that they just have to bring it to the contractor if anything needs fixing.

Bacordo said also key is the strengthening of multilateral relationships among the different participating navies from various countries.

The BRP Jose Rizal arrived at Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor on Saturday where the crew conducted a manning-the-rail exercise and rendered salute to the USS Missouri and USS Arizona in honor of the fallen heroes of World War II.

The contingent was welcomed by officials from the Philippine Consulate General to Honolulu, Hawaii, led by Consul General Joselito Jimeno.

Capt. Jerry Garrido, task force commander and skipper of BRP Jose Rizal, talked with the consul general via telephone after the mooring of the ship.

He thanked the consul general for the warm welcome as he considered the exercise an opportunity to “provide the Philippine Navy with the latest training and techniques in modern naval warfare.”

The Philippine Navy said the exercise will give a unique training opportunity for the participating nations to enhance their proficiency to integrate into an international force and improve readiness to contribute to a wide range of potential coalition operations.