Philippine Navy’s Outgoing Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, who will retire on Feb 3, said on Wednesday (Jan 29) that the “ageing” vessels are already expensive to maintain that they need to be put out of service. Empedrad announced that the ships due for retirement this year include: patrol ships BRP Quezon (PS-70), BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), BRP Magat Salamat (PS-20), BRP Pangasinan (PS-31), landing ships BRP Laguna (LS-501), BRP Benguet (LS-507), and BRP Mangyan (AC-71).

Earlier in the day, the Philippine Navy bade farewell to two long-serving vessels and one aircraft — the BRP Rizal (PS-74); BRP Nicolas Mahusay (PG-116) and Islander NV304. The two vessels were not included in the 22 ships mentioned by the Navy chief in his speech.

The Philippine Navy is expecting the delivery of two brand new frigates this year built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea: BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).

Navy ship maintenance policies and actions are designed to ensure crew and ship safety while achieving desired operational readiness levels within current system capabilities, at the lowest possible total ownership cost. 

Maritime Business World