President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. warned his administration will not waver in defending the country’s territorial integrity, backing up his words with the christening of two new missile-carrying warships during the Philippine Navy’s 127th anniversary yesterday.
“We stand firm. We will never tolerate any act of disrespect against our sovereignty,” the President declared before top military officials and diplomats at the Naval Operating Base in Subic Bay, Zambales.
Amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the chief executive reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its maritime zones and exercising its internationally-recognized sovereign rights.
“We will not surrender anything, we will not abandon anyone,” he said.
“We will continue to safeguard our maritime zones and exercise our maritime entitlements, in accordance with international law,” Mr. Marcos added.
The Philippines and China have been locked in an increasingly tense standoff in the West Philippine Sea, with Manila accusing Beijing of aggressive and unlawful actions against Filipino vessels and fishers in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
During the event, Mr. Marcos, also the commander-in-chief of the military, led the commissioning rites of BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Albert Majini.
The BRP Miguel Malvar, named after the last Filipino general to surrender during the Philippine-American War, arrived in the country from South Korea on April 4, after departing the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan on March 27.
The 118-meter vessel is equipped for anti-ship, anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, and electronic warfare operations, and features advanced sensors and weapon systems.
She also inherited the name of a rickety decommissioned World War 2 ship, the PS-19, that was slated to be targeted by a missile during the last Balikatan war games but sank while being towed to the exercise site.
The BRP Albert Majini—the eighth in the Acero-class FAIC-M series—is the first missile-capable patrol craft assembled locally. It was named in honor of Ensign Albert Majini, a Medal of Valor recipient for his heroism during anti-piracy operations in Basilan in 1980.
The vessel is designed for rapid interdiction and coastal missions under the Navy’s Littoral Combat Force.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos hailed the PN for its enduring legacy, bravery, and growing role in regional security amid rising maritime tensions.
He underscored the Navy’s critical role in defending the country’s sovereignty and supporting democracy.
The commander-in-chief also highlighted the service’s recent participation in the peaceful conduct of the 2025 national elections and its continuing contributions to humanitarian missions and disaster response.
“Despite rough seas and dangers, you serve not simply out of duty, but because that is innately who you are—you are guardians of our people,” the President said.
As this developed, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that two Chinese research vessels were detected operating within the Philippines’ EEZ.
During a press briefing yesterday, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, identified the ships as Xiang Yang Hong 302 and Tan Suo Er Hao.
Xiang Yang Hong 302 departed Hainan in China last May 1 and was located 180 nautical miles off the coast of Rizal, Palawan in the Philippines at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Tarriela.
“This research vessel is under the administration of the State Oceanic Administration. It is intended for use by the [People’s Liberation Army Navy of China] for oceanography. It has an overall length of 100 meters and 4,500 tons,” Tarriela said.
“The capability of this Chinese research vessel is to conduct deep sea surveying. This is the reason why it is also equipped with remotely operated vehicles and private underwater drones,” he added.