Nice looking ship. Wish the Philippines had a bit more muscle available, and maybe a reopened US Navy base to counter China.
I read the local Tagalog rags (my brother is married to one) and even though some in the RP govt want us there, the VFA disallows the return of American troops.
The funny thing is, we have a SF FOB in the Southern Philippines. True story/article: when the Phil. Congress were up in arms because there were pictures of US Spec Ops guys in Basilan where they are NOT supposed to be, then president Arroyo said “no, no,...these are Photoshopped.”
Very under-armed for those waters.
Not that its worse than what the Philippine Navy already has, its just that as a fighting ship its really no better.
It is a MUCH better ship, as a ship, than anything now in the PN, but still.
Its got no weapons that can threaten any Naval craft from any other country in the area, nor can these (some Harpoon launchers, say) be easily fitted, as this ship also lacks the fire control systems and radars.