The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday formally commissioned its most advanced warship, significantly enhancing the country’s capability to patrol and safeguard its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“This warship will add to the capital ships of the PN that are capable of patrolling all the way up to our EEZ and even beyond,” PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.
Trinidad was referring to the guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), commissioned during ceremonies at Naval Operating Base Subic, Zambales. “It will be the most modern warship that we will have,” he added.
The ship arrived from South Korea on Sept. 8, 2025, and shares the same specifications as its sister ship, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), which was commissioned in May. Both ships were procured from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for PHP 28 billion under a 2021 contract.
Trinidad said more warships are expected in the coming years, including six offshore patrol vessels, two of which are undergoing sea trials in South Korea, and two landing dock platforms being built by PT PAL of Indonesia. Procurement for two more frigates is also under discussion.
“This will bring the total to 10 more warships that we are waiting for,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PN reported increased monitoring activity amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
A total of 19 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were monitored in the WPS) throughout November, the Navy said Tuesday.
“Monitored also was a total of 19 different PLAN warships across various maritime zones of the country,” Trinidad said in a statement, noting that this reflects the Navy’s “continuous maritime domain awareness, presence operations, and commitment to safeguarding territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights.”
Last week, the Navy reported 30 China Coast Guard (CCG) and PLAN ships in key WPS features as of Nov. 24, including six PLAN warships in Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, and Escoda Shoal, and 24 CCG ships in these areas and Pag-asa Island.
Trinidad said the Navy monitored 14,972 vessels across the archipelago last month—12,450 foreign and 2,522 domestic. Of these, 13,190 ships responded to radio challenges, while 1,781 did not.
Most vessels were observed in the northern part of the country (6,898), followed by the southern (5,120), western (2,259), and eastern (695) regions.
“The AFP remains resolute in upholding international law, protecting national interests, and sustaining a credible and disciplined presence across all key maritime areas,” Trinidad added.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping with areas claimed by the Philippines and neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
The West Philippine Sea encompasses waters west of the Philippine archipelago, including areas around the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
