Two newest PH Navy fast attack crafts honor fallen marines

The Philippine Navy’s two newly commissioned fast attack vessels honor two Philippine Marines who died fighting against Islamic insurgents in Mindanao.

BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG907) were commissioned at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila on Tuesday.

The two vessels were named after two awardees of the Medal for Valor: Staff Sergeant Herminigildo Yurong and Corporal Laurence Narag. The Medal of Valor is the Philippines' highest military award for courage.

Both men died in 2000 during operations against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In his last action, SSG Yurong led his outnumbered platoon against 200 insurgents in a battle in Maguindanao. CPL Narag was a radioman who was fatally wounded while coordinating airstrikes against secessionists in Lanao del Norte.

"These crafts are indispensable assets for archipelagic defense, tailored to address unique challenges inherent to the Philippine maritime landscape,” Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said in a statement.

The vessels are the fifth and sixth Shaldag Mk. V fast attack interdiction crafts from Israel Shipyards Ltd. that were delivered last November 2023. A total of nine fast attacks were ordered by the PN with the last three to be constructed locally as part of a technology transfer agreement with Israel.

The two fast crafts arrived via a commercial cargo ship from Israel. After arriving in the Philippines these were prepared at the Naval Base Cavite for post-delivery inspections, as well as further enhancement, testing and personnel training before they were commissioned.

The two vessels are part of a P10 billion government-to-government deal between the Department of National Defense and Israel’s Ministry of Defense, with Israel Shipyards Ltd. assigned to undertake the project.

The PN classifies these 95-ton patrol gunboats as the Acero class. 

“As force multipliers, these crafts enable rapid deployment and force projection, strengthen our deterrence, and uphold maritime security across Philippine waters," Adaci said.

According to Adaci, the acquisition of the Acero class will help in speeding up the Navy's modernization efforts.

The ships are designed to carry one bow-mounted Mk.44 Bushmaster II autocannon mounted on Rafael Typhoon Mk 30-C remote-controlled weapon station, and two M2HB Browning 12.7 mm/50-cal. heavy machine guns mounted on Rafael Mini Typhoon remote-controlled weapon stations.

At least four of the ships will be armed with a Rafael Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher for the Spike-NLOS surface-to-surface missiles. 

A 5.2-meter rigid inflatable boat (RHIB) is stowed for those without the missile system.

“The Philippine Navy takes pride in aligning itself with the national leadership's commitment to a defense posture that resonates with the unique characteristics and needs of our geographic configuration,” Adaci said.

“Despite an enduring journey, the Philippine Navy remains committed to improving our physical capabilities and, more importantly, our collective consciousness to be at the forefront of our comprehensive archipelagic defense," the admiral added.—RF, GMA Integrated News