MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Navy on Friday formally welcomed its second missile-capable frigate, called Antonio Luna (FF151), and its maiden crew in a simple arrival ceremony held at Pier 13 in South Harbor.

The ceremony was held after the warship and its crew completed quarantine period off Subic Bay, Zambales following its arrival in the country from Ulsan, South Korea earlier this month.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar was the guest of honor of the ceremony in welcoming the warship. He was joined by Navy officials and other guests.

The frigate has a maiden crew of 101 sailors, headed by its first commanding officer Capt. Charles Merric Villanueva.

“The arrival of frigate Antonio Luna symbolizes another remarkable leap towards modernization incessantly pursued by the Navy and whole of the AFP to better guard, protect, and defend the interest of our nation,” the Navy said in a statement.

“It also gives the vigor to serve the country and people with high spirit, great pride, and honor not only in maritime defense but also in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” it added.

The ship will be the second Navy vessel to be named after Antonio Luna after the first ship – an Emilio Aguinaldo class patrol gunboat – was retired in 2016 after serving for 17 years.

Luna was a Filipino army general who fought during the Philippine-American war.

The Navy said the BRP Antonio Luna will be formally handed over to the Philippines, christened, and commissioned into service tentatively on the 4th week of March.

MANILA, Philippines — The fifth most wanted person in Lanao del Sur was killed during an encounter with the police and military troops on Wednesday (February 10).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command reported that the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 (MBLT5) and the Provincial Police Office conducted a joint operation in Barangay Molimoc Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.

Authorities were about to enter the vicinity of the suspect identified as Jayson Deniega when he immediately opened fire. The authorities retaliated leading to the shooting of Deniega. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Deniega is an identified hard killer, drug trafficker, and extortionist in the province.

Recovered items from the area include a .38 caliber firearm, a grenade, and several sachets of suspected illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, the local government of Buntong Bubong, and Ditsaan-Kamain turned over several firearms to the AFP after civilians surrendered them to authorities.

The surrendered firearms include three .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifles, M79 grenade launcher, and a KG9 9mm submachine gun. AAC (with reports from Val Villaflor)

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Navy (PN) has welcomed its second missile-capable frigate, future BRP Antonio Luna (FF151).

The Department of National Defense (DND) and Philippine Navy on Tuesday conducted an inspection and has approved the acceptance and delivery of the said vessel to the Philippines.

“Frigate Antonio Luna will complete the PN Frigate Acquisition Project that fulfills the PNs thrust of having modern platforms and systems that provide opportunities for its personnel to develop modern mindsets and propel the whole organization into becoming a multi-capable naval force responsive to our maritime nations defense and development,” the Philippine Navy said.

The second missile-capable frigate is traversing the Philippine waters in the vicinity of Capones Island, Zambales Tuesday (February 9). Frigate Antonio Luna will sail in formation with its sister ship frigate Jose Rizal through Manila Bay before proceeding to its anchorage area in Subic, Zambales. AAC