The Philippine Navy on Tuesday confirmed that its guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna sustained minor damage while participating in joint maritime exercises in Malaysia last week, but remained fully mission-capable. No injuries were reported among the crew.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the incident occurred on Aug. 27 at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, shortly after the harbor phase of the multilateral naval exercise “Malphi Laut.”
Martinez explained that the frigate was maneuvering in a “narrow space” when it incurred “superficial damage” on its port side freeboard, the outermost portion of the ship’s surface above the waterline.
“When they say superficial, it’s minimal damage to the outermost surface of the ship,” Martinez explained.
“These are just one of the many risks, operational risks that a commanding officer or a ship would always incur whether you’re a civilian ship or a merchant ship,” she added.
Despite the incident, the Navy emphasized that the BRP Antonio Luna continued its participation in all sea-phase events of the exercise. Martinez assured that the frigate remains “mission-capable” and that its commanding officer is a “highly competent and seasoned surface warfare officer.”
A technical assessment and investigation will be conducted upon the vessel’s return to the Philippines to determine the full extent of the damage and whether accountability measures are necessary.
“Any incident whether it’s minor or major, there will always be an assessment and investigation that will be conducted. We will just wait for the facts and the analysis.” Martinez said.
The BRP Antonio Luna is capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter, the Navy said.
