New warship BRP Diego Silang arrives in the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy's second Miguel Malvar-class frigate has arrived in the country after its delivery voyage from South Korea — the latest modern warship to be added to its fleet.
The future BRP Diego Silang was welcomed about 14 nautical miles off Botolan, Zambales yesterday, where it was met by the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Navy’s first missile-capable frigate.
The two vessels carried out a meeting procedure before the Diego Silang proceeded to port for final checks.
The Diego Silang "will undergo final preparations, acceptance procedures and commissioning before officially joining the Philippine Navy's active fleet," the Naval Public Affairs Office said in a statement Tuesday morning, September 9.
Upon commissioning, the Miguel Malvar-class frigate will "enhance the Navy's operational readiness, maritime domain protection, and capability to uphold a free, secure, and rules-based international order," it added.
The newly arrived warship yesterday also sailed to meet the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Gabriela Silang off Zambales, with Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, Commander of the Philippine Fleet, overseeing the coordinated meeting procedure.
Orbe's son, Coast Guard Ensign Joshua Orbe, participated aboard the Coast Guard vessel as part of his ship familiarization training, according to the Navy's statement.
The meeting between the Navy warship and the PCG vessel "reinforced fleet interoperability, operational readiness, and the Navy's modernization efforts, while highlighting the human side of service and the shared dedication of generations of maritime officers," the Navy said.
"More than a routine encounter, the meeting of these vessels honors the legacy of Diego and Gabriela Silang, symbolizing the spirit of heroism and unity that guides the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty," it added.
Part of military modernization
The new frigate is the second of two Miguel Malvar-class vessels built by South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries under the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Horizon 2 modernization program.
The class lead ship BRP Miguel Malvar was delivered earlier this year and is already in service.
- Latest
- Trending
