The first missile-capable frigate of the Philippine Navy arrived at Subic Bay on Saturday after a five-day voyage from the shipyard of its manufacturer in Ulsan, South Korea.
The first brand-new warship of the Navy, which will be christened into the military service as “BRP Jose Rizal,” will remain in the waters of Zambales while its sailors will undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine for the Covid-19.
The vessel (FF 150), the first of the two ordered frigates from South Korea to be delivered, exchanged communications signals with the BRP Quezon in Mavulis Island, Batanes, as it entered Philippine waters on the early morning of Thursday.
Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said the Naval Forces Northern Luzon welcomed FF 150 on Friday by rendering a meeting procedure with its first patrol boat division composed of three patrol boats at the vicinity of Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Later in the afternoon, the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS 17) with one AugustaWestland (AW) 109 helicopter and C-90 fixed wing aircraft conducted a meeting procedure with FF 150 along the vicinity of Santa Cruz, Zambales.
The frigate was later escorted by PS 17 to its designated anchorage area.
On Saturday, the frigate was accorded with the traditional passing honors with PS 17 and three multipurpose assault crafts (MPACs). The event was captured during the fly-by of two naval helicopters, the anti-submarine helicopter AW-159 and AW-109.
The commander of the Navy’s Offshore Combat Force, Commodore Karl A. Decapia, led officials in welcoming the arrival of FF 150.
Decapia said the arrival of the frigate “signals the realization of a modern navy that is capable of imposing the Navy’s territorial defense mandate,” as the warship is capable of fighting the four dimensions of warfare.
Rear Admiral Loumer P. Bernabe, commander of the Philippine Fleet, in a separate statement, greeted the officers and men of FF 150 and the support team from Republic of Korea. The South Korean Navy escorted the frigate when it left the waters in Ulsan.
“We are one with the Filipino people in expressing our profound gratitude in bringing pride and honor to the Philippine Navy and the AFP,” Bernabe said.
“Our countrymen expect nothing less than the selfless and honorable service that we in the Fleet have sworn to uphold and protect,” he added. “I enjoin everyone to sustain the momentum that you have gained and continue to aspire for competence and excellence.”
Roxas said the technical inspection and acceptance of the frigate, the last phase for the official receipt of the warship, will start after the end of its crews’ mandatory quarantine.
“A simple arrival and commissioning ceremony is poised to be conducted on June 19 coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the ship’s namesake,” Roxas said.
“The arrival of FF 150 in the country is yet another major leap toward the fulfillment of the PN’s thrust of having modern platforms and systems which provide opportunities for its personnel to develop modern mindsets and propel the whole organization into becoming a multi-capable naval force responsive to our maritime nation’s defense and development,” he added.