The brand-new missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna has docked at the Port of Manila on Friday morning.
A simple ceremony by the Philippine Navy with DPWH Secretary Mark Villar was conducted for the arrival of the frigate described as the most modern and one of the strongest owned by the country.
Captain Charles Villanueva, the commanding officer of the vessel, said the new warship plays a great role in improving the capacity of the Philippine military.
“It is an honor for me. It is an honor for my team, we are part of it. And right now, the team is ready to perform the mission ahead of us,” Villanueva added.
The new frigate is a sister ship of BRP Jose Rizal which arrived from South Korea last year. The frigate acquisition project of the Philippines and South Korea is completed with the arrival of the latest vessel.
However, the Philippine Navy still aims to further strengthen its forces by purchasing other ships.
“We are wishing na matuloy na ang aming OBP project, aming corvette project, aming submarine project, at itong shore-based missile system” (We are wishing for our OBP project, corvette project, submarine project, and shore-based missile system project to push through),” Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo mused.
The Philippine Navy is also hoping to have its own base for the docking of ships. A facility in Zambales near Subic is now being considered.
“‘Pag natuloy na ‘yan, definitely ang DPWH ay magbibigay ng infrastructure support sa mga kalsada pati mga buildings na itatayo sa bagong base (If it pushes through, the DPWH will definitely provide infrastructure support on roads and buildings of the new base),” Sec. Villar assured. – Report from Bea Bernardo
