The Philippine Navy is set to deploy its new and modern warships to the West Philippine Sea and Northern Luzon to strengthen the country’s maritime presence.
According to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the deployment of naval assets in Western and Northern Luzon is part of efforts to secure strategic areas.
This initiative aligns with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which serves as a guide for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in securing the nation’s maritime territories.
Under the CADC, the military is tasked with protecting the entire Philippine territory, including its 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Western Command (WESCOM) in Palawan and the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) in Tarlac are responsible for overseeing maritime security in the western and northern seaboards of the country.
Trinidad emphasized that the new naval assets expected to be added to the Philippine Fleet will significantly enhance the nation’s presence in these waters, particularly within the country’s EEZ.
This April, two guided-missile frigates from South Korea are expected to arrive in the Philippines.
The warships, named BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) and BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), are equipped with anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare capabilities.