MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Monday officially welcomed its first missile-capable frigate.
The warship’s crew completed the mandatory quarantine period as part of health protocols to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 after they arrived in the country two weeks ago.
Now docked at the Alava Wharf in Subic, Zambales, the warship that will soon be named the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) will join the Philippine fleet headed by Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe.
The frigate, contracted with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), was given a traditional arrival ceremony on Monday.
Naval Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Cmdr. Maria Christina Roxas said a separate handover, christening and commissioning ceremony, originally scheduled on Thursday, was reset due to unavoidable circumstances.
She added that President Duterte is expected to attend the event as the guest of honor and speaker once a new schedule is set.
The new missile-capable warship has a maiden crew of 65 sailors headed by its first commanding officer, Capt. Jerry Garrido Jr.