Philippine Navy frigate Jose Rizal departs on delivery voyage

By Baird Maritime - May 19, 2020.

*BRP Jose Rizal (right) as it departs for Philippine waters with the South Korean Navy corvette ROKS Seongnam providing escort (Photo: Philippine Navy)*

BRP Jose Rizal, the Philippine Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, departed the Ulsan facilities of South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on Monday, May 18, and is now en route to the Philippines.

The 108-metre vessel is the lead ship of a class of two frigates ordered by the Philippines from HHI.

Upon arrival in Subic Bay on Saturday, May 23, the frigate and its crew will be placed under mandatory quarantine. Navy officials said the vessel will be commissioned into service upon completion of the 14-day quarantine period.

Jose Rizal is also transporting 35,000 testing kits, 20,000 face masks, and other medical supplies donated by HHI and South Korean defence firm Hanwha Systems to aid in the Philippine government’s Covid-19 response efforts.