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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BRP Diego Silang joins PH Navy fleet

BRP Diego Silang joins PH Navy fleet

Published Dec 3, 2025 03:20 pm
BRP Diego Silang (Photo: Philippine Navy)
BRP Diego Silang (Photo: Philippine Navy)
The Philippine Navy (PN) formally commissioned its second Miguel Malvar-class frigate, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Naval Operating Base (NOB) Subic in Zambales to strengthen the country’s ability to maintain a sustained presence in contested waters and respond more quickly to security challenges at sea.
The commissioning ceremony was led by Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Salvador Melchor B. Mison Jr., with PN Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. and other senior military officials.
According to the Navy, BRP Diego Silang carries multi-mission capabilities including anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare systems, as well as improved electronic warfare equipment.
The multi-role frigate weighs 3,200 gross tons, measures 118.4 meters, and has a beam of 14.9 meters. It has a range of 4,500 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
It is also equipped with advanced weaponry such as C-Star anti-ship cruise missiles, Vertical Launch (VL) MICA surface-to-air missiles, 76 mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun, and 3D AESA radar system, among others.
Mison said the introduction of BRP Diego Silang represents the country’s determination to build a credible presence at sea.
Adaci added that the ship strengthens the PN’s capacity for joint operations, maritime domain awareness, and rapid humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).
The ship is named after Diego Silang, an Ilocano revolutionary leader who led an uprising against Spanish colonial rule in the 1760s.
“With its entry into active service, the PN reaffirms its duty to protect the nation’s maritime domain, support regional cooperation, and deliver timely HADR operations for the Filipino people,” the PN said.
BRP Diego Silang is the second Malvar-class frigate of the PN built by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program. It arrived in the country from Ulsan, South Korea last Sept. 8 and was brought to the NOB Subic a week later.
The ship’s commanding officer is former PN spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos.
Together with its sister ship BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), which arrived in April and commissioned into service a month later, the guided missile frigates are considered the most advanced vessels in the PN fleet.
The Malvar-class frigates use the HDF-3200 frigate design for their hulls, which is larger than the HDF-2600 frigate design used for the Rizal-class frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).
The PN said that the ship’s expanded hull and upgraded communications suite are designed to support longer deployments, allowing the Navy to maintain continuous patrols in key maritime areas without frequent returns to port.
This capability is increasingly vital as the PN steps up rotational patrols with allies and partners, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The Malvar-class frigates were procured for P28 billion in a deal signed by the DND with HHI in 2021 to strengthen the PN’s capabilities for extended patrols and enhanced deterrence in contested zones.

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