navy - updates

Rappler's latest stories on navy

ARTICLE FINDER

PH Navy christens first-ever brand new frigate, BRP Jose Rizal

Jul 11, 2020 - 12:03 AM

Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo hails the new warship as 'the great milestone and accomplishment of the defense sector in decades'

TOP WARSHIP. The Philippine Navy's brand new frigate BRP Jose Rizal. Photo from the Philippine Navy

Rex Robles, armed forces reformist, dies at 75

Jul 05, 2020 - 4:07 PM

'He is one of the bright minds of the Philippine Navy. Everybody listens when he speaks,' says Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo

REMEMBERED. Rex Robles. Photo from Robles' Facebook page

450 stranded travelers to leave for Cebu, Iloilo on board PH Navy ship

Jun 21, 2020 - 7:45 PM

Philippine Navy officials say the humanitarian mission involves the 'biggest number of locally-stranded individuals transported in a single voyage by a Navy vessel so far'

Photo from Philippine Navy

After setbacks, PH Navy completes Middle East, India, Sri Lanka mission

Jun 16, 2020 - 8:15 PM

Naval Task Force 82 set out to evacuate Filipinos from impending war in the Middle East but ended up facing a pandemic, a super cyclone, and engine fire. Now, they're finally home.

SAFELY HOME. The Navy's BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz are back in the Philippines after a 5-month deployment to the Middle East, India, and Sri Lanka. Photo from the Philippine Navy

PH Navy's brand new frigate docks in Subic after 2-week quarantine

Jun 15, 2020 - 11:59 PM

A christening and commissioning ceremony for the BRP Jose Rizal originally set for June 19 is postponed 'due to unavoidable circumstances,' says the Navy

NEW FRIGATE. The Philippine Navy's brand new frigate BRP Jose Rizal is officially welcomed in Subic after a 2-week quarantine period. Photo from the Philippine Navy

PH Navy ships head home from India after super storm, repairs

May 28, 2020 - 12:55 PM

On the way, the BRP Davao del Sur and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz will stop by Sri Lanka to pick up more stranded Filipinos

HOMEBOUND. The Philippine Navy ships BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Davao del Sur resumed their voyage from India to the Philippines on May 27, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Navy

LOOK: PH Navy's 1st missile-ready warship arrives in Subic

May 23, 2020 - 10:40 PM

BRP Jose Rizal is the most powerful and lethal of the Navy's warships

BRP JOSE RIZAL. PH Navy's newest missile capable frigate arrives in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy


First time: PH Navy ship docks at Pag-asa Island

May 20, 2020 - 1:00 PM

A new port and beaching ramp near completion on the country's largest outpost in the West Philippine Sea

FIRST TIME. The Philippine Navy ship BRP Ivatan (far right) docks at Pag-asa Island for the first time on May 13, 2020. Photo from Naval Forces West

PH Navy's brand new frigate to arrive May 23

May 15, 2020 - 8:18 PM

The BRP Jose Rizal will be the most powerful, first ever missile-capable warship in the Philippine Fleet

MODERN FRIGATE. The 'multi-mission capable' BRP Jose Rizal will be the Philippine Navy's most powerful warship when it arrives in April or May 2020. Photo from the Philippine Navy

PH Navy ship that caught fire returns to India, U.S. Navy to help in repairs

May 09, 2020 - 3:18 PM

(UPDATED) With the BRP Ramon Alcaraz staying behind in India for repairs, the BRP Davao del Sur will sail to the Philippines without an escort, carrying 20 Filipino repatriates and a cargo of 200,000 face masks

PATROL SHIP. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and its crew of around 200 sailors from the Philippine Navy before sailing from Manila to Thailand on August 28, 2019, to join the first ever ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise. File photo by JC Gotinga/Rappler

Fire breaks out on PH Navy ship hours after leaving India

May 08, 2020 - 7:48 PM

Two Navy sailors on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz sustain second-degree burns, and will be treated at a hospital in Cochin, India, where the Philippine Navy picked up stranded Filipinos and a cargo of 200,000 face masks

PATROL SHIP. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Photo from the Philippine Navy

LOOK: PH Navy ships in India to pick up face masks, repatriate Filipino tourists

May 07, 2020 - 12:27 PM

The naval vessels will bring home some 200,000 face masks donated by a Filipino businessman

NAVY VESSELS. The BRP Davao del Sur (R) and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (L) docked in Conchin, India. Photo from the Philippine Navy

U.S. Navy ship sails through Chinese-claimed waters in South China Sea

Apr 30, 2020 - 9:17 AM

'Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose an unprecedented threat to the freedom of the seas,' the Navy says

DISPUTED. An aerial view of Qilianyu islands in the Paracel chain, which China considers part of Hainan province on August 10, 2018. Photo by AFP

Chinese warship targeted Philippine Navy vessel in West PH Sea – AFP

Apr 23, 2020 - 12:52 PM

The hostile act is a clear violation of international law and Philippine sovereignty, says the AFP Western Command based in Palawan

BRP CONRADO YAP. Spectators raise their flags during the arrival of the BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39) at Pier 13 in Manila in August 2019. File photo by KD Madrilejos/Rappler

LOOK: Philippines' presidential yacht set to take in coronavirus patients

Apr 12, 2020 - 7:30 PM

BRP Ang Pangulo can accommodate 28 patients and 5 medical personnel, says the Philippine Navy

COVID-19 HOSPITAL. Presidential Yacht Ang Pangulo is converted into a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients. Photo from Philippine Navy

More than 10% of U.S. carrier's crew test positive for virus – Navy

Apr 12, 2020 - 3:13 PM

The test results are reported days after US navy chief Thomas Modly resigned over his mishandling of the outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT. This US Navy file handout photo shows the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as it transits the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California on April 30, 2017. Photo by Paul L. Archer/US Navy/AFP

Army Navy reopens select branches nationwide for delivery, takeout

Apr 09, 2020 - 4:49 PM

Several Army Navy branches across the country are back in business for takeout and delivery orders – here's the list

U.S. navy chief resigns over handling of ship virus outbreak

Apr 08, 2020 - 10:13 AM

Modly steps down 5 days after removing the Roosevelt's captain, Brett Crozier, for writing a letter that was leaked to the media

RESIGNED. Former Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, in a file photo, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill December 03, 2019 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Pentagon chief defends firing of navy captain who voiced virus concern

Apr 05, 2020 - 11:32 PM

The firing has been widely condemned as a callous and unfair punishment of a respected officer who was looking out for the welfare of his crew

This handout photo released by the US Navy shows Captain Brett Crozier addressing the crew for the first time as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck in San Diego, California on November 1, 2019. The Pentagon removed the captain of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt Thursday, saying he mishandled communications over how the outbreak was sweeping through the warship. Brett Crozier "demonstrated extremely poor judgment in the middle of a crisis" in writing a four-page letter detailing the problem that was leaked to the US media before top defense officials saw it, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said. Sean LYNCH / US NAVY / AFP

Navy to convert presidential yacht into quarantine ship

Apr 04, 2020 - 11:14 PM

With physical distancing, the BRP Ang Pangulo can take in 28 patients and 5 medical staff, while its regular crew will remain onboard

PRESIDENTIAL YACHT. This file photo shows the BRP Ang Pangulo, obtained as war reparations given to the Philippines by Japan in 1959. Photo from Wikicommons

LOOK: Military receives quarantine facility, medical equipment

Apr 04, 2020 - 8:30 AM

The military are among the front liners battling the pandemic, and the AFP Medical Corps will be deployed to national quarantine centers to tend to PUMs, PUIs, and confirmed patients with mild symptoms

WOOD AND PLASTIC. This emergency quarantine facility, made from wood and plastic with 17 beds, is set up at Naval Station Jose Francisco in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on April 1, 2020. Photo by Inoue Jaena/Rappler

Duterte orders Navy to convert presidential yacht into coronavirus hospital

Apr 04, 2020 - 8:07 AM

President Rodrigo Duterte wants the Philippine Navy to run the planned hospital yacht

FLOATING HOSPITAL? This file photo shows the BRP Ang Pangulo obtained as war reparations given to the Philippines by Japan. Photo from Wikicommons

Pentagon removes captain of virus-struck aircraft carrier

Apr 03, 2020 - 1:11 PM

'I have no doubt in my mind that Captain Crozier did what he thought was in the best interests of the safety and well-being of his crew... Unfortunately, it did the opposite,' says the the acting US Navy secretary

This handout photo released by the US Navy shows Captain Brett Crozier addressing the crew for the first time as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck in San Diego, California on November 1, 2019. The Pentagon removed the captain of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt Thursday, saying he mishandled communications over how the outbreak was sweeping through the warship. Brett Crozier "demonstrated extremely poor judgment in the middle of a crisis" in writing a four-page letter detailing the problem that was leaked to the US media before top defense officials saw it, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said. Sean LYNCH / US NAVY / AFP

U.S. Navy evacuates virus-struck aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt

Apr 02, 2020 - 5:16 PM

Acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly says: 'We cannot and will not remove all the sailors from the ship. This ship has weapons on it, it has munitions on it, it has expensive aircraft, and has a nuclear power plant.'

(FILES) This US Navy file handout photo shows the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)as it transits the Pacific Ocean while conducting a tailored ship’s training availability off the coast of Southern California on April 30, 2017. The captain of the nuclear aircraft carrier with more than 100 sailors infected with the coronavirus pleaded on March 30, 2020 with US Navy officials for resources to allow isolation of his entire crew, and avoid possible deaths in a situation he described as quickly deteriorating. Paul L. ARCHER / US NAVY / AFP

Navy chief tests negative for virus; Army, Air Force chiefs in quarantine

Apr 01, 2020 - 1:20 PM

They all came in contact with military chief General Felimon Santos Jr, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus on March 27

NAVY CHIEF. Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command. Photo by JC Gotinga/Rappler

CA confirms army reservist Colonel Sara Duterte

Mar 11, 2020 - 4:56 PM

The Commission on Appointments also confirms 21 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo

CONFIRMED. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and senior AFP officials post for a photo at the Senate session hall. Photo by Aika Rey/Rappler

[ANALYSIS] Recalibrate the Philippine Navy’s compass before it even sets sail

Mar 03, 2020 - 4:53 PM

'The Philippine Navy remains to have underlying institutional issues that continually challenge and disrupt the various programs of whoever is at the helm'

Naval Forces Northern Luzon leads search for missing Zambales fisherman

Feb 04, 2020 - 12:59 PM

Rico Undocon put out to sea on January 30 and has been seen missing since

PH Navy wants harbor in Hanjin shipyard in Subic Bay

Feb 04, 2020 - 12:39 PM

None of the Navy's current harbors are deep enough for its new warships, and Hanjin shipyard has the right depth and an ideal location, says Navy chief Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo

IDEAL NAVAL BASE? The Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation-Philippines facility in Subic Freeport. File photo from the HHIC-Phil website

New Navy chief wants 'modern systems, mindsets' as new assets replace ailing ships

Feb 03, 2020 - 10:49 PM

Modernizing sailors' and marines' mindsets may be a bigger challenge than acquiring new ships and weapons, Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo says as he assumes command of the Philippine Navy

MODERN NAVY. Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, called for a thorough modernization of the service during the change-of-command ceremony in Manila on February 3, 2020. Photo by JC Gotinga/Rappler

Philippine Fleet commander Giovanni Carlo Bacordo is new Navy chief

Jan 31, 2020 - 9:11 PM

A magna cum laude of his Philippine Military Academy class, Bacordo will replace Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad as the Navy's Flag Officer-in-Command on February 3, 2020

NEW NAVY CHIEF. Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo will take over the Philippine Navy as its Flag Officer-in-Command on February 3, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Fleet

Philippine Navy mints first female commodore

Jan 28, 2020 - 7:06 PM

Commodore Luzviminda Camacho is also the first woman to command a Navy ship, and the first female commander of Philippine peacekeepers deployed with the United Nations

LADY COMMODORE. Luzviminda Camacho makes history as the first female commodore of the Philippine Navy. Photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines

LOOK: Dingdong Dantes now a lieutenant commander in PH Navy reserve force

Jan 27, 2020 - 5:26 PM

The actor first enlisted as a Philippine Navy reservist in 2006

Thai Navy SEAL dies after yearlong infection after cave rescue

Dec 28, 2019 - 12:35 PM

Petty Officer Beirut Pakbara is the second Thai Navy SEAL to perish after rescuing 12 boys and their coach from a cave in northern Thailand

A HERO. Petty Officer Beirut Pakbara dies from blood infection months after rescuing 12 young boys and their coach in a cave in Thailand. Photo from the Royal Thai Navy Facebook page

PH Navy launches web app to monitor procurements

Dec 11, 2019 - 9:05 PM

An online database of the Navy's procurement projects and their progress will 'promote transparency and prevent corruption,' the Navy says

CONTACT POINT. The Philippine Navy launches its web application, the Procurement Information System (PRISM) to promote transparency and prevent corruption in procuring goods and services. Photo from the Philippine Navy

Indian warship drives away intruding Chinese vessel

Dec 04, 2019 - 12:35 PM

'Our stand is that if you have to do anything in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone), you have to notify us and take permission,' an Indian admiral tells reporters when asked about the intrusion

Indian Navy sailors unfurl the ensign after the destroyer INS Chennai was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai on November 21, 2016. Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has commissioned the ship 'Chennai' into the Indian Navy, the third ship of the indigenously designed Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers built by Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP

Duterte to PH Navy: Kill pirates, 'blow them until kingdom come'

Nov 30, 2019 - 8:11 PM

The president mentions working with Indonesia and Malaysia to protect the seas from pirates, amid warming ties with China which is occupying the West PH Sea

KILL THE PIRATES. President Rodrigo Duterte tells the Philippine Navy to kill every pirate they spot during a speech delivered at the Bonifacio Day rites in Caloocan on November 30, 2019. Screenshot from RTVM

Trump fires U.S. navy chief over handling of SEAL case

Nov 25, 2019 - 9:02 AM

(UPDATED) 'I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principles of good order and discipline,' Richard Spencer says

RICHARD SPENCER. Secretary of The Navy, Richard Spencer, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Navy readiness on April 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. File photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images/AFP

U.S. Navy defies Trump, proceeds in effort to expel SEAL

Nov 24, 2019 - 10:14 AM

Edward Gallagher, a 15-year Navy SEAL, had been accused in the stabbing death of a wounded Islamic State prisoner in Iraq in 2017, attempted murder of other civilians, and obstruction of justice

RESISTANCE. Top US Navy officials threatened to resign if President Trump interfered in the sacking of SEAL Edward Gallagher. File photo by Saul Loeb/AFP

PH Navy’s upcoming frigate begins sea trials in South Korea

Nov 23, 2019 - 8:07 AM

The BRP Jose Rizal is expected to be delivered to the Philippines by May 2020, and will be the most powerful warship in the Philippine Fleet

NEW WARSHIP. The Philippine Navy's upcoming frigate, the BRP Jose Rizal, is sent on sea trials in the waters off South Korea, where it was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries. Photo from the Philippine Navy

China condemns U.S. navy sail-by in disputed South China Sea

Nov 22, 2019 - 12:27 PM

The US Navy says the USS Gabrielle Giffords littoral combat ship sailed near Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, and the USS Wayne E. Meyer guided-missile destroyer passed the Paracel Islands

DISPUTED WATERS. This file photo taken on May 5, 2016 shows crew members of China's South Sea Fleet taking part in a drill in the Xisha Islands, or the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Stringer/AFP

PH Navy to build Fuga Island outpost ahead of Chinese 'smart city' plan

Nov 14, 2019 - 1:45 PM

The government realizes the need to establish a military presence on the northern frontier island where a Chinese company plans to build a business hub

Rocco Nacino on Navy training: Not just for optics

Nov 14, 2019 - 11:11 AM

Rocco, who is a Navy reservist, says members of the Marines and Navy are happy he can share his experience with others

Preliminary contract for new PH Navy warships signed in South Korea

Nov 12, 2019 - 8:09 PM

The Navy chief says they're figuring out where to get the P28 billion to buy a pair of brand new corvettes, which will be the Philippines' most powerful warships – if the plan pushes through

PHILIPPINE WARSHIP. The brand new BRP Antonio Luna, a multidimensional frigate, is launched to sea for the first time at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea on November 8, 2019. Photo from the Philippine Navy

Rappler Talk: Retired rear admiral Rommel Jude Ong on PH Navy's 'rebirth'

Nov 04, 2019 - 1:59 PM

On Monday, November 4, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug sits down with retired rear admiral Rommel Jude Ong to discuss the Philippine Navy's strategic vision for the future, among others

LOOK: Indian Navy ships on friendly visit to Manila

Oct 23, 2019 - 10:37 PM

The Indian Navy sends its warships on a goodwill visit to the Philippines just days after the two countries signed a maritime security cooperation agreement

Philippines, U.S., Japan hold military drills near West PH Sea

Oct 15, 2019 - 8:54 AM

Japan joins the yearly exercise for the first time as regional allies build 'interoperability' in responding to security threats and natural disasters

TOPSHOTS  A Philippine naval personnel stands on guard during the arrival of missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93) before the US-Philippine joint naval military exercise entitled 'Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training' (CARAT) near the disputed Spratly islands, in Puerto Princesa on the western Philippine island of Palawan on June 28, 2011. The Philippines and the US will launch naval exercises as the long-time allies seek to deepen defence ties amid tensions with China over a maritime dispute. The 11-day event will see two US missile destroyers patrol Philippine waters close to the resource-rich and strategically vital South China Sea that is at the heart of the regional territorial row. AFP PHOTO/NOEL CELIS

Marine commandant resigns amid rumored feud with Navy chief

Oct 14, 2019 - 11:04 PM

Major General Alvin Parreño relinquishes his post 5 months before retiring and after a rift with Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, who had disagreed with a proposal to separate the Marines from the Navy

"WE'RE OKAY." Outgoing Marine Commandant Major General Alvin Parreño (center, in black) and Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad (3rd from right) share a light moment after the change-of-command ceremony at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Taguig City on Monday, October 14, 2019. Photo by JC Gotinga/Rappler

Lorenzana wants Australia exempted from Duterte's foreign loan ban

Sep 30, 2019 - 4:02 PM

The defense department plans to enter a loan agreement with the Australian government to procure 6 offshore patrol vessels to be built in Cebu

LOAN FOR SHIPS. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wants Australia exempted from a loan ban to make way for a financing agreement for new Navy ships. Photo of Lorenzana at the Senate on September 30, 2019 by Angie de Silva/Rappler

WATCH: PH Navy debuts new amphibious vehicles, attack vessels

Sep 24, 2019 - 8:59 AM

The Navy's brand new amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) and multipurpose attack craft (MPAC) boosts its capability to defend the Philippines' maritime domain

ASSAULT VEHICLES. The Philippine Navy showcases its brand new amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) in a military exercise in Subic Bay, Olongapo City, on September 21, 2019. Photo by JC Gotinga/Rappler