PH Navy commissions BRP Diego Silang, bolsters maritime defense

SUBIC, Zambales — The Philippine Navy on Tuesday commissioned the BRP Diego Silang, a new frigate expected to boost the country’s external defense posture as tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea.

The ship was placed into service at Naval Operating Base–Subic in Zambales in a ceremony led by Defense acquisitions chief Salvador Melchor Mison Jr.

The Navy said the frigate will immediately support maritime patrols and joint activities aimed at improving the Armed Forces’ deterrence capability.

In his remarks, Mison said the BRP Diego Silang marks continued progress in the military’s modernization program and represents another step in strengthening the country’s defense posture.

“Diego Silang sends a clear message that the Philippines will continue to invest in programs that strengthen maritime domain awareness, enhance deterrence, and improve our ability to uphold the rule of law,” he said.He added that the warship “will sail the seas carrying the hopes, the resolve, and the unwavering commitment of the Filipino people.”

The Diego Silang, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, arrived in the country in September from South Korea after completing sea trials.

Since then, the crew has undergone training and ship systems have undergone operational checks, leading up to Tuesday’s commissioning.

Its commanding officer is Capt. John Percy Alcos, a former Philippine Navy spokesperson.

The commissioning officially brings BRP Diego Silang into the Navy’s operational fleet, signaling that the ship is ready to undertake patrols and support national defense missions

“It’s a testament of our growing capability in terms of defending our country, particularly our sovereignty,” Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony. 

“It is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to secure and protect our sovereignty and, of course, our Filipino nation,” she added.

Enhanced capabilities

The 116-meter vessel displaces around 3,200 tons. It can sail at speeds of up to 25 knots with a cruising range of about 4,500 nautical miles.

Designed as a multi-role combatant, it is equipped for anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine and electronic warfare operations.

Compared with the Jose Rizal-class frigates, the Miguel Malvar-class features a longer hull, larger displacement, and improved sensors and electronic warfare suites.

Martinez said these upgrades will improve maritime domain awareness by detecting vessels, aircraft and submarines operating near Philippine waters.

Strategic deployment

Martinez said the frigate will undergo battle-readiness evaluations before joining major activities, including the annual Balikatan exercises with the United States.

She described the ship as a “strategic surface combatant” assigned under the Naval Defense Command (NDC), the maritime component of the Armed Forces’ newly formed Strategic Command.

“Its operating area is across the whole country—from the northern part down to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and from the west to the east,” she said. “It will be patrolling across the country and will be used to address the various threats that we would be facing.”

Asked whether the frigate will operate in the West Philippine Sea, Martinez said its multi-domain mission profile includes maritime patrols and external defense operations.

“It can be useful in the West Philippine Sea… any part of the country,” she said.

Martinez noted that expanding naval capability involves more than acquiring ships, emphasizing the need for trained personnel, bases, logistics and doctrine.

“There are several enablers for a capability,” she said. “We should have facilities, systems, weapon systems, trained personnel. It is a full package.”

The Navy expects another surface combatant to arrive before the end of the year, along with two offshore patrol vessels next year under its Horizon 3 modernization program.