MANILA, Philippines- Pinangunahan ni Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. ang paglulunsad ng unang guided missile corvette ng Pilipinas na ginawa sa South Korea.
Dinaluhan ni Teodoro kasama ang key Philippine defense at military officials ang paglulunsad ng BRP Miguel Malvar (FF-06), sa shipyard ng South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) sa lungsod ng Ulsan noong Hunyo 18, ayon kay DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong sa news release nitong Biyernes.
Ang vessel ang una sa dalawang guided missile corvettes na bibilhin ng Manila sa pamamagitan ng Corvette Acquisition Program ng Philippine Navy.
“Mrs. Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, special envoy to the United Nations Children’s Fund, (also) led the ceremonial launching of the ship. Mr. Lee Sang Kyun, CEO (chief executive officer) of HHI, was also in attendance, underscoring the collaborative effort between the two nations,” wika ni Andolong.
Binigyang-diin naman ng DND chief ang commitment ng Pilipinas sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa ibang bansa na itinuturing na strategic allies, kabilang ang South Korea.
“He (Teodoro) highlighted the proven quality and reliability of South Korean products and noted that future acquisitions would adhere to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. Key considerations for these acquisitions include supply chain reliability, redundancy, corporate good governance, and the overall value for money,” wika ni Andolong.
“Secretary Teodoro expressed his desire to instill the Korean value of ‘Indomitable Spirit’ or ‘bulguleui jeongsin’ within the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). This value, characterized by standing up for what is right and showing unwavering resilience, has been pivotal in the progress and prosperity of South Korea. He believes it can similarly inspire the Philippines to reach its full potential,” ayon pa sa opisyal.
Pinasalamatan din ni Teodoro ang Seoul sa suporta nito sa posisyon ng Manila sa West Philippine Sea, partikular sa pagtutol sa unilateral aggression at illegal actions ng China.
Niladaan ng DND at HHI ang P28 billion contract para sa dalawang brand-new corvettes, na kayang maglunsad ng anti-ship, anti-submarine, at anti-air warfare missions, noong Disyembre 28, 2021.
Nakatakdang i-deliver sa Pilipinas ang unang missile corvette sa 2025 habang kasado naman ang delivery ng ikalawa sa 2026. RNT/SA
