AFP welcomes PH Navy’s newest warship, BRP Diego Silang

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday welcomed the arrival of Philippine Navy’s newest guided missile frigate, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales.

In a statement, the AFP said the event was led by its Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Navy head Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, and Captain John Percie Alcos, the commanding officer of the Diego Silang.

During his speech, Brawner stressed the symbolic and strategic importance of the newest addition to the modernizing Philippine fleet.

For Brawner, the new frigate is a testament to the Philippine Navy’s growing capability and a clear signal of the AFP’s resolve to strengthen its maritime defense posture.

“BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) is a symbol of our nation’s resolve to defend what is rightfully ours, to stand firm in the face of challenges, and to demonstrate our readiness to safeguard the interests of our people,” Brawner said.

The Diego Silang is the second of the Miguel Malvar-class guided missile frigates built by South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the Philippine Navy.

BRP Miguel Malvar, which was delivered to the Philippines in April, was commissioned in May.

The Malvars are modern 3,200-ton frigates which measure 118.4 meters long and 14.9 meters wide. They are equipped with eight anti-ship missiles, a 16-cell vertical launching system, several torpedoes, a 76mm gun and an active electronically scanned array.

This delivery is part of the P28-billion contract signed between the Department of National Defense and Hyundai Heavy Industries in December 2021. — Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News