Philippine Navy commissions 2 patrol vessels

Two patrol vessels BRP Valentin Diaz (PS177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS178) have been commissioned in a ceremony at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila on Monday, a Navy official said.

The Philippine Navy said these vessels will be used for coastal patrols in littoral waters and sea lanes of communications, and other naval and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

“They will enhance the Navy's capacity to defend our maritime nation's interest and bolster our adaptability addressing various security challenges, from piracy and illicit activities to disaster response and maritime law enforcement,” Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said.

“These patrol vessels are essential in maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment,” he added.

BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa, which were donated by the US, will be added to the Philippine Navy’s Alvarez-class patrol ships.

The two vessels were named after Filipino patriots who were among the Katipunan's founders who launched the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896, according to the Navy.

The vessels are 179 feet in length and 24.9 feet in beam.

They can maneuver efficiently in coastal and shallow waters where larger vessels could struggle due to its small size and shallow draft, according to the Philippine Navy.

It can be used for patrol operations, interdiction, and surveillance against hostile surface craft, as well as in response to emergency requirements in a littoral battlespace within a low-intensity conflict environment, the Philippine Navy added.

They were former Cyclone-Class Patrol Vessels from the United States Navy, formerly named USS Monsoon (PC4) and USS Chinook (PC9) through the Excess Defense Articles of the Foreign Military Sales.

The Philippines accepted the two vessels in Bahrain on March 28, 2023.

In her speech during the event, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the two vessels were funded through US foreign military financing worth P780 million or $13.8 million.

Carlson expressed the continued support of the US for the Philippine Navy, who, she said, is on the frontlines defending Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“These two vessels bring real, strategic benefit, not just to the Philippines, but to our alliance, and to the entire region,” she said.

“As the Philippines continues its courageous stand to uphold the international order and defend its rights in the West  Philippine Sea, rest assured the US stands with you in this all-important  endeavor,” she added.

Upgrade

Defense chief Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. served as the guest of honor and speaker of the ceremony at Commodore Divino Pier in Naval Station Jose Andrada.

He said that the Philippine Navy should be upgraded with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) simultaneously to ensure maritime security and safety of fishing vessels.

“Kailangan talagang sabay-sabay i-upgrade ang PCG at ang ating Philippine Navy para sa ganun ang internal maritime security capabilities ay pagtuunan nila ng pansin,’’ he said during a press conference.

(We really need to simultaneously upgrade PCG and the Philippine Navy so we can pay attention to our internal maritime security.)

“At siyempre kasi fishing vessels at mangingisda ang ating pinoprotektahan, kailangan din nila ng capabilities for protecting Philippine vessels, maritime safety and security,’’ he added.

(Also, the PCG also needs to enhance their capabilities for protecting Philippine vessels and for maritime safety and security because we are protecting fishing vessels and fishermen.) — GMA Integrated News