The BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), the Lead Ship of the Miguel Malvar class Guided Missile Frigates of the Philippine Navy (PN) was finally commissioned into Service recently at the Naval Operating Base (NOB) in Subic, Zambales.
The Event also coincided with the 127th Anniversary Celebration of the PN. The Ship is named after the last Filipino General to surrender to the United States (US) Forces during the Philippine-American War which ran from 1899 to 1902.
You can access the original Pictures here on the Facebook Page Post of the PN: https://web.facebook.com/PhilippineNavy/posts/pfbid02Wh9r93c1q7FC93xPPkVSi3wxQVHex79FKeKLrfD7f3q3QVNNtwacj7cLQYuurPnXl
MY THOUGHTS: And just like that, discreetly or without any explanation at all on the new “FFG” Designation, or why they changed the Type of Vessel of the BRP Malvar, for as far as I can remember reading, the PN called it a “Frigate” on an official Publication of theirs for the first time.
With that, despite the lack of explanation at all, I guess we can now also calling the Ship as a “Frigate” also. Remember that during its entire Development, Planning and Procurement, they had always designated it as a “Corvette” despite the Fact that it is larger than the Jose Rizal class Frigates.
Since they offered no Explanation at all, my Guess is that the PN was just desperate to come up with a new class of Ships to be their Flagship. The Jose Rizal class was plagued with Controversies during its Development, including one where the PN’s very own Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) ended up being dismissed for it.
So that may be one Reason why they didn’t want it to be their Flagship. Which is such a Shame, because the Jose Rizal Ships ended up being such fine Vessels, and whether the PN likes it or not, they are the first Guided Missile Frigates of theirs.
By renaming the Miguel Malvar class as “Corvettes” I think ensured that a new class of Ships will be made, and it did, and it also made it so distinct that it would be difficult to merge or morph the Project, or treat it as an improved class or Variant of the Jose Rizal Ships. At any rate, all is well that ends well, I guess.
SOURCE: Philippine Navy Facebook Page Post, 05/21/25 – 1932H {Archived Link}
