MANILA, (PNA) — Aside from defending the country’s vast maritime territories, the two frigates that the Department of National Defense (DND) is acquiring for P18-billion, can also be used for repatriations of Filipino workers abroad and victims of natural and man-made calamities.
This was revealed by DND undersecretary for finance, modernization, installation, and munitions, Fernando Manalo Friday.
“Aside from territorial defense, (frigates) can be deployed to repatriate OFWs in hot spots abroad and victims of calamities, that how versatile these ships are,” he added.
Manalo defended the long delivery period of the frigates (around 1,460 calendar days) to the fact that these ships are brand-new and designed specifically for the Philippines.
“Delivery period will be long as these frigates are new-builds,” he stated.
Manalo declined to comment on whether the ships will be fitted with anti-ships and anti-aircraft missiles.