Subic: The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday officially placed its most modern warship in active service, boosting its capabilities to patrol and protect the country’s 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ). “This (warship) will add to the capital ships of the PN that (are) capable of patrolling all the way up to our EEZ and even beyond,” PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.

According to Philippines News Agency, Trinidad was referring to the guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), which was formally commissioned into PN service on Tuesday during ceremonies held at Naval Operating Base Subic, Zambales. “It will be the most modern warship that we will have,” Trinidad said. BRP Diego Silang arrived in the Philippines from South Korea on Sept. 8, 2025.

Like its sister ship, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), which arrived on April 8 and was commissioned on May 20, BRP Diego Silang weighs 3,200 gross tons, measures 118.4 meters, and has a beam of 14.9 meters. The two ships were procured from South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for PHP28 billion, with the contract signed in December 2021 under then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Trinidad said more warships are scheduled to be delivered to the PN within the next few years, including six offshore patrol vessels, of which two are now completed by HD HHI and undergoing sea trials in South Korea. There are also two landing dock platforms currently being constructed by Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL, he added. Procurement for two more frigates, meanwhile, is “in the discussion phase,” according to Trinidad. “This will bring the total to 10 more warships that we are waiting (for),” he said.