Manila, Philippines – Filipino sailors aboard the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6), the Philippine Navy’s guided missile frigate, outperformed their counterparts from 32 other nations in detecting an Indian Navy submarine during naval exercises held in the Bay of Bengal in India, a high-ranking naval official said on Tuesday, March 24.
BRP Miguel Malvar, the only warship to spot the submarine, was deployed to participate in the 3rd Indian Navy International Fleet Review and Multilateral Naval Exercise MILAN 2026 last month.
One of the naval maneuvers was the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with submersible ship detection considered one of the most difficult tasks.
“During the conduct of Exercise MILAN wherein the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) sent one Philippine Navy warship, one of the exercise scenarios was anti-submarine warfare, there were 33 warships from different nations involved,” Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told a media briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.
The 3rd IFR was held on Feb. 18, while MILAN 2026 ran from Feb. 19 to 26.
“During the conduct of ASW, it was only our warship that was able to detect the submarine,” Trinidad said, noting that BRP Miguel Malvar in terms of weapons systems paled in comparison with warships used by participating nations.
Navy officials said that skill could prove useful in protecting the country’s maritime domain especially amid a protracted territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea.
“I asked the Commander of the fleet what was the major difference on that – he mentioned that our systems are not at par yet, not as high-end, not as modern as the other warships, but it was the individual sailor who was very keen on his job to be able to look for differences of some propagation and he was able to detect,” Trinidad said.
“It was a highlight of the skill of the individual soldier and sailor,” he added.
No details were given on the exact depth and type of the submarine.
“Yes, because the exercise was hosted by the Indian Navy,” Trinidad said, when asked whether the detected submarine had indications it was from the Indian naval force.
‘FIRST SHOT’
The BRP Miguel Malvar was the same naval asset that faced new aggressions from China’s PLA Navy while sailing near Sabina Shoal last March 7.
A Chinese warship aimed its fire control radar (FCR) scanning system against BRP Miguel Malvar, prompting the latter to issue a radio challenge.
Still, that scanning incident does not warrant a hostile response from Philippine forces, Trinidad said.
“The Rules of Engagement are very clear to our commanding officers. Use of force for mission accomplishment is not allowed without infringing on the universal right of self-defense, defense of your men or of others,” the naval official said when asked about scenarios.
Firing the proverbial “first shot” would be a misstep.
“We have to understand Chinese warfighting thought which is to force us to fire the first shot, to force us to escalate the situation,” Trinidad said.
The naval official pointed out that the BRP Miguel Malvar, commissioned just last year, was able to detect FCR emissions given its multirole in warfare across four domains: surface, subsurface, air, and cyber.
He did not elaborate on the kind of weapon system that the FCR was guiding.
“The weapon system is immaterial. What is highlighted here is the unprofessional conduct of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy,” Trinidad said.
