The Philippine Navy has reported major gains in modernization, maritime operations and defense capability development as it marked its anniversary, with Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta citing new assets, expanded missions and stronger readiness across the fleet.
In his anniversary speech, Ezpeleta thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Armed Forces commander-in-chief, for his support and trust in the Navy, saying the service has felt the administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s maritime defense posture.
Ezpeleta said the Navy’s newly acquired assets have significantly strengthened its frontline forces, particularly with the commissioning of BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Diego Silang, which he described as the Navy’s most modern and sophisticated gray ships.
He also cited the commissioning of BRP Rajah Lakandula and the expected addition of BRP Rajah Sulayman, BRP Albert Machini and BRP Audrey Banares, which he said would further improve the Navy’s ability to patrol and secure the country’s maritime domain.
The Navy chief also highlighted the delivery of the BrahMos shore-based anti-ship missile system, calling it a major milestone not only for the Navy but for the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Ezpeleta said the Navy continues to develop unmanned systems for air, surface and undersea operations, including locally developed unmanned aerial systems intended to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Some platforms, he said, can be deployed as far as 120 kilometers.
He said these initiatives form part of the Navy’s continuing investment in its Undersea Capability Development Program and its broader push to become a modern and respected maritime force.
The Navy has also upgraded its intelligence, cybersecurity, command and control, and maritime domain awareness systems, including the enhancement of its Naval Intelligence Management Information System and the activation of naval monitoring stations.
Ezpeleta said the Navy conducted more than 6,620 naval missions from 2025 through the first quarter of 2026, covering 972,233.27 nautical miles of surface operations and logging 152,288 hours of steaming time.
He said the Navy also carried out more than 1,500 air missions, with 4,142 hours of naval air patrols covering more than half a million nautical miles.
The Navy’s sealift operations also transported nearly 6,000 military personnel, more than 1,700 civilians, over 3.2 million tons of military supplies and equipment, and more than 200,000 tons of civilian cargo.
Ezpeleta said the Navy also served as a contingency backbone for logistics and communications during emergencies, including the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo, Cebu, and the unrest caused by Mount Kanlaon’s Level 2 eruption phase.
He said the Navy’s participation in major exercises, including Pagsisikap Pagsasama 2025, Kamandag and MASA 2026, helped strengthen interoperability, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, electronic warfare, air defense, bilateral joint fires and command post operations.
Ezpeleta said joint operations with other AFP units are expected to expand maritime patrol coverage by at least 120,000 nautical miles, strengthening security and sustained presence in the country’s territorial waters.
He called on Navy personnel to recommit to modernization, professional excellence, innovation and unity, saying the service remains guided by the values of honor, duty and patriotism.
“Ang lahat ng ating pinagsamang pagsisikap, pagbabantay, pagmamalasakit at pagtutulungan ay nakatuon sa iisang layunin, para sa bayan, para sa ating karagatan, at para sa mas magandang kinabukasan ng sambayanan,” Ezpeleta said.