BRP Conrado Yap, PHL Navy's 'most powerful ship,' now in Manila

The BRP Conrado Yap, a Pohang-class corvette donated by South Korea, is already in the Philippines and is awaiting deployment, Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said Monday.

"Nasa Pinas na ngayon, nandoon na sa Pier, nasa South Harbor na," Bacordo told reporters, adding the ship arrived in Manila on Sunday morning.

"They arrived early morning of Sunday together with LD602, the Naval Task Force 80.5, which participated in the Navy Day of Russia and LD602. [It] came from Russia tapos proceeded to Korea to escort 'yung PS39 going to Manila," he added.

According to Bacordo, BRP Conrado Yap will be the Philippine Navy's "most powerful ship" because it has anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities.

Bacordo underscored that BRP Conrado Yap, which has an anti-submarine warfare capability, is an important asset for the Philippine Navy.

"Ibig sabihin madadagdagan ang ating anti-submarine warfare capability, ganoon ang implications niyan and then of course, we have strengthened firepower for anti... for surface warfare and for air warfare, strengthen capabilities," he said.

Authorities will still determine where the BRP Conrado Yap will be deployed, according to Bacordo.

The vessel was named after Captain Conrado Yap, a decorated Filipino soldier who was part of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea during the 1950s.

A formal welcome ceremony will be held for BRP Conrado Yap on Tuesday at Pier 13. —KBK, GMA News