Philippine Navy personnel to be sent to Korea to undergo training for manning frigates

The Philippine Navy is set to send some of its personnel to South Korea to undergo training so that they can man and operate the frigates that the navy has acquired, according to Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.

In his exit interview on Wednesday night, Empedrad was asked about the status of the two-unit frigate acquisition project of the Navy. According to him, the BRP Jose Rizal has already finished its sea trials.

“Actually tapos na ‘yung sea trial ng ship at sea. Na-test na nila lahat and then okay na. There is some fine-tuning in the systems, ‘yung weapon systems," Empedrad said.

"Ang next na gagawin ng Navy is ipadala ‘yung crew to Korea this first quarter because based on our agreement with the chief of the Navy of the Republic of Korea, iti-train ‘yung crew natin, the whole crew to one of their class frigates."

Empedrad said the frigates will be delivered to Subic Bay. "Pagpunta ng frigate to Subic from Korea, hindi pa tayo ang magma-man niyan. It will be manned by selected crew of the Hyundai Heavy Industries... Pagdating sa Subic, saka lang puwedeng i-man ng ating Navy personnel."

According to the Navy, both ships are capable of engaging in the four dimensions of modern warfare that include: Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Electronic Warfare.

It added that the acquisition of these two missile frigates will further strengthen the Navy’s ability to protect the Philippine maritime territory.

The Philippine Navy is expecting that the BRP Antonio Luna will be delivered by September or October 2020 while BRP Jose Rizal may arrive in April or May of this year. —KBK, GMA News