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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
May 21, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines “will never tolerate any act of disrespect against our sovereignty,” President Marcos asserted on Tuesday as he led the commissioning of two modern vessels of the Philippine Navy in Subic, Zambales.
The commissioning of Miguel Malvar and Albert Majini was held at the Naval Operating Base in Barangay Cawag, coinciding with the Navy’s 127th anniversary.
“What we witnessed during the commissioning ceremony of the Navy’s two newly acquired vessels, the BRP Miguel Malvar and the BRP Albert Majini, is a Philippine Navy that is modernizing, that is evolving and is ready to conduct more complex and effective operations in promoting the country’s national interest,” Marcos said.
Miguel Malvar, named after the last Filipino general to surrender during the Philippine-American War, arrived from South Korea last April 4.
The vessel is equipped for anti-ship, anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and electronic warfare systems.
Meanwhile, Albert Majini, named after a Medal of Valor awardee, is the first locally assembled missile-capable patrol vessel in the country.
Marcos hailed the Navy for upholding the nation’s maritime entitlements, especially in the West Philippine Sea.
“We will give up nothing, we will abandon nothing,” Marcos stressed.
For his part, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta said the institution has come a long way from the hoisting of the Philippine flag at the top mast of a revolutionary vessel in 1898.
“Our Navy has steadily grown into a force that is ever prepared to protect the country. Our readiness has become even more crucial in navigating the present security environment filled with urgent challenges related to the development in our seas,” he said.
“And for the Philippines, we are aware that our country’s future is linked to the security of our maritime domain. That is why our Navy plays an important role, not just in defending national sovereignty and assuring territorial integrity, but in contributing to lasting peace and preserving marine resources that future generations of young Filipinos can inherit,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a video message posted on her Facebook page, Vice President Sara Duterte thanked the Philippine Navy for its “honest service” and “untiring love for the country.”
“On this day, we should whole heartedly recognize and thank the Philippine Navy. In many decades of sailing, you remain as a strong pillar of the Armed Forces and brave defender of our oceans,” she said.
Maritime drill
In Occidental Mindoro, two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships and an Islander plane participated in the 6th Philippines-US Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity with the US Coast Guard (USCG) yesterday.
In a statement, the PCG said it deployed Melchora Aquino, Malapascua and PCG Islander Aircraft 251 to the one-day maritime exercise.
The USCG cutter Stratton arrived in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on May 16 for a port visit and to take part in the maritime exercises.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command was represented by its PS-16, PG-905 and AW109 air assets.
Commodore Weniel Azcuna, PCG District Palawan commander, said the initiative underscored the alliance and shared commitment of the two countries to uphold maritime security, maritime safety, and a rules-based international order.
Chinese ships spotted
In a separate development, the PCG said it is currently monitoring two Chinese research vessels that have entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), with officials raising concerns over unauthorized marine scientific research in the country’s waters.
According to PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, one vessel, Xiang Yang Hong, was first detected on Monday entering the Union Banks in the Spratly Islands, which are within the Philippine EEZ.
The second vessel, Tan Sou Er Hao, was last spotted 130.5 nautical miles off the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, three days after entering the Philippine EEZ.
The PCG has deployed an aircraft to monitor and issue radio challenges to both vessels. However, Tarriela confirmed that neither responded. — Michael Punongbayan, Evelyn Macairan, Bella Cariaso, Christine Boton
