MANILA, Philippines — Ibinida ng ng Malacañang ang makasaysa-yang pagdating sa bansa ng BRP Jose Rizal, ang kauna-unahang guided-missile frigate ng bansa.
Ayon kay Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, patunay ito na pursigido si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na isulong ang modernisasyon sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas.
“The arrival of the country’s most advanced warship, delivered during this administration, is a testament to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s commitment to modernize our armed forces. This forms part of the national leadership’s initiative to enhance the country’s defense capabilities to secure our seas against current threats,” pahayag ni Roque.
Ayon kay Roque, ma-laking breakthrough sa Philippine Navy ang pagdating ng bagong barkong pandigma.
“We consider this a breakthrough in the Phi-lippine Navy’s transformation journey in our goal of building a strong and credible maritime force,” pahayag ni Roque.
Dumaong sa Subic, Zambales ang barko matapos ang limang araw na paglalayag mula sa shipyard ng Ulsan, South Korea. Binili ng Pilipinas sa South Korea ang barko sa halagang P8 bilyon.
Nabatid na ang BRP Jose Rizal ay may missiles, torpedoes, at iba pang weapon systems.
May kakayahan ang 107-meter long vessel na anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine, at electronic warfare at may maximum speed na 25 knots.