Philippine Navy commissions first corvette in South Korea

August 6, 2019

The Philippine Navy formally received and commissioned its first corvette in South Korea on Monday.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, Philippine Navy spokesman, said the handover and commissioning ceremonies of BRP Conrado Yap (PS39), an ex-Pohang class corvette from South Korea was held at Jinhae Naval Base in Changwon City.

Zata said during the ceremonies “Defense Assistant Secretary for Logistics and Acquisition Jesus Rey Avilla signed the transfer documents together with his South Korean counterpart Logistics Management Administrator Kim Soo Sam.”

“PS39 was then commissioned into the active service of the Philippine Navy right after the formal transfer,” he said.

“The activity was witnessed by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandz, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Gaudencio Collado, Chief of Naval Staff Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe, Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Adm.Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Naval Internal Auditor Commodore Alberto Cruz, Offshore Combat Force Commodore Ceasar Bernard Valencia and late Conrado Yap's daughter Isabella Yap Agonon with her husband Romeo,” he added.

Zata said the ship is the former Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Pohang-class corvette Chungju, that was commissioned with the ROKN in 1987 and served until 2016.

“The namesake aims to uphold the legacy of a gallant Filipino military leader who served in the Korean War as part of the Philippine expeditionary forces to Korea, Conrado Yap, a captain in the Philippine Army and considered as the most decorated Filipino soldiers during Korean War,” he added.

According to Zata, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad described the ceremony as an "event that highlights the alliance between the PN and the Republic of Korea Navy that goes beyond friendship through the years."

“He then assured the South Korea government and its navy that 'the PN will take care of this ship' shall defend our country’s maritime waters with same valor as displayed by our hero Capt. Conrado Yap, 68 years ago,” said Zata.

Zata said “PS39 is set to sail to the Philippines this month. Under the leadership of its commanding officer Capt.Marco Buena, its maiden sailing crew underwent 13 weeks of necessary operational and warfare trainings facilitated by the Reserved Ship Maintenance Squadron (RSMS) in Jinhae, Gyeongsang-namdo, South Korea.”

“This ship will beef up the Navy’s frontline defense in safeguarding our maritime nation and territorial limits and greatly enhanced our fleet Anti-Air warfare (AWW), Anti- Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS