Another brand new warship – the second guided missile frigate capable of anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare – is set to be commissioned by the Philippine Navy.

BRP Antonio Luna, named after a strict Filipino general who fought the Spanish and Americans before he was assassinated by his fellow soldiers, has already arrived in the country after it was manufactured in South Korea.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy said its second fast-frigate entered the Philippine waters on February 7 at the vicinity of Itbayat, Batanes. On Friday, it was at the vicinity of Capones Island in Zambales.

This was followed by the two ships' first maneuvering exercise, a momentous feat in the PN and the Armed Forces of the Philippines' history captured by an AW-109 naval helicopter in a photo exercise.

This procedure was complemented by a fly-by of three FA-50 jets from the Philippine Air Force.

“This time-honored maritime tradition was conducted to commemorate FF151s arrival to our territorial waters and to extend and maximize the training and systems familiarization opportunities of every crew aboardship in preparation for independent ship operation,” Negranza said.

The prospective BRP Antonio Luna will sail in formation with BRP Jose Rizal through Manila Bay before proceeding to its anchorage area in Subic, Zambales where the crew and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) personnel will observe a mandatory quarantine.

A simple arrival ceremony will be conducted later this month upon completion of the quarantine period and satisfactory result of their coronavirus disease (COVID-19) swab test.

"The second fast-frigate of the PN which will be christened as BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) once commissioned to service, entered Philippine waters last February 7 in the vicinity of Mavulis Island, Itbayat, Batanes, after its successful maiden voyage from Ulsan, South Korea," Negranza said.

The ship departed Ulsan for its voyage home last February 5.

The BRP Jose Rizal, was delivered in May last year and was commissioned two months later.

Both BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), are modern warships that are capable of long-range missiles, acoustic-guided torpedoes and could accommodate anti-submarine helicopters.

Manufactured by the Hyundai Heavy Industries, the two warships cost P16 billion and need additional P2 billion for weapon systems and munition.

The two frigates were procured during the Aquino administration along with 12 FA-50 fighter jets, also from South Korea, following the standoff at the West Philippine Sea which prompted the Philippines to file a case against China.

The Arbitral court ruled in favor of the Philippines. (With a report from PNA)