Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) — The enforcement of strict health protocols has caused the delay in the commissionship of the Philippine Navy’s brand new missile-capable frigate, Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice-Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said on Tuesday.
The warship, which arrived from South Korea recently, will be christened BRP Jose Rizal. It was initially scheduled to be commissioned to service on June 19, the birth anniversary of the Philippine national hero and the ship’s namesake, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Bacordo said a crew member yielded a positive result during a rapid test for COVID-19 when the frigate arrived in Subic early this month, prompting orders to put the entire ship on quarantine for 14 days.
The crew member later turned out negative for coronavirus infection in the confirmatory tests.
The mandatory technical inspection process also had to be delayed due to the quarantine period. This had a domino effect on the planned commissioning ceremony on June 19.
“Because of the counting of the 14 days, it left the TIAC (Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee of the Department of National Defense) with so little time before the commissioning,” Bacordo told defense reporters.
The Navy has yet to announce the new date for the commissioning ceremony. It will depend on the availability of President Rodrigo Duterte, who will be invited as guest of honor.
