By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the commissioning of the BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS-20), the Philippine Navy’s second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), marking a significant milestone in the country’s naval modernization efforts during the celebration of the Navy’s 128th founding anniversary.
The commissioning ceremony was held at the Naval Operating Base along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, where military officials showcased the vessel’s advanced capabilities designed to enhance the country’s maritime security and territorial defense operations.
Built in South Korea under the Philippine Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel Acquisition Project, the BRP Rajah Lakandula is the second of six modern patrol vessels ordered by the government to bolster the country’s naval fleet. The vessel follows the commissioning of its sister ship, BRP Miguel Malvar.
The new warship is equipped to conduct extended maritime patrols, search-and-rescue missions, humanitarian assistance, disaster response operations, and maritime law enforcement activities. It can remain at sea for up to 45 days without requiring port replenishment, significantly expanding the Navy’s operational reach across the country’s vast maritime domain.
Defense officials said the vessel will play a crucial role in safeguarding Philippine waters and supporting military and civilian operations, particularly in remote and strategically important areas.
The commissioning of BRP Rajah Lakandula underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and enhancing the nation’s capability to address evolving security challenges in the region.
As tensions and security concerns continue to shape the Indo-Pacific landscape, the addition of another state-of-the-art patrol vessel signals the Philippines’ determination to maintain a credible and capable maritime defense force.
With the entry of BRP Rajah Lakandula into active service, the Philippine Navy takes another step toward building a more modern, agile, and mission-ready fleet capable of defending the country’s sovereignty while responding to humanitarian and disaster-related emergencies.
ia/xf
