Navy waiting for Duterte’s OK to commission missile frigate

July 7, 2020

The first missile frigate of the Philippine Navy which will be named BRP Jose Rizal is ready for commissioning, a Navy official said Tuesday.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting public affairs director, said the Philippine Navy is just waiting for the availability of President Rodrigo Duterte who is set to lead the ceremony.

"Yes, we are just waiting for the availability of the President to be the GOHAS (guest of honor and speaker) on the commissioning," Roxas said.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the tentative schedule for the blessing, christening and commissioning of the missile capable frigate is  on July 10.

"We are still looking at the schedule of the president but we recommended to him this July 10 at 4pm at Alava Wharf, SMBA (Subic May Metropolitan Authority) so we recommended that to him but we are still waiting for his confirmation," he said.

"When the President confirms, we scheduled the handover, the commissioning and the blessing on 10 July at 4 p.m subject to availability of the president, " he added.

Bacordo said the Philippine Navy wanted Duterte to lead the ceremony "either physically or virtually".

"What is important is the President has to be, we want the President to be the guest of honor for the commissioning... we want the President to attend, even virtually because this is an important activity which cannot be delegated to others but the President," he said.

"Either physically or virtually, we understand the restrictions of IATF (inter-agency task force) also, and also the PSG (presidential security group), as to whether the president can attend," he added.

It can also be recalled that Duterte has previously expressed his interest to see the newly acquired vessel of the Philippine Navy. Robina Asido/DMS