MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ newest warship, a Miguel Malvar-class frigate to be named the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) once commissioned for active duty, has arrived in the country from South Korea, the Philippine Navy (PN) said on Tuesday.

Captain Benjo Negranza, PN public affairs office chief, in a statement, said Diego Silang was welcomed by the Philippines’ first guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) as it sailed into Philippine waters on Monday, arriving about 14 nautical miles northwest of Botolan, Zambales.

“The soon-to-be BRP Diego Silang will still undergo final preparations, acceptance procedures and commissioning before officially joining the PH Navy’s active fleet,” Negranza said.

Diego Silang will surely “enhance the PN’s operational readiness, maritime domain protection and capability to uphold a free, secure and rules-based international order.”

The newest warship is the second of the two Miguel Malvar-class frigates built by South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The first one was the BRP Miguel Malvar delivered to the Philippines last April and was commissioned in May.

Apart from the BRP Jose Rizal, the future Diego Silang likewise also joined the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) still off Zambales.

"More than a routine encounter, the meeting of these vessels honors the legacy of Diego and Gabriela Silang, symbolizing the spirit of heroism and unity that guides the PN and PCG in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty," he said.

Miguel Malvar-class frigates are 118.4 meters long and 14.9 meters wide. BRP Diego Silang in particular weighs 3,200 gross tons with a range of 4,500 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 15 knots.

PH’s newest warship arrives in Manila, joins BRP Jose Rizal, BRP Gabriela Silang, This news data comes from:http://www.xs888999.com

The purchase of the future BRP Diego Silang is part of the PN’s modernization program.