BRP Antonio Luna joins ASEAN navies events in Penang, Malaysia
The BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), a guided-missile frigate and one of the Philippine Navy’s most advanced warships, participated in the ASEAN Navies’ City Parade and ASEAN Open Ship Visit in Penang, Malaysia on 17 August 2025.
BRP means Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas or ship of the Republic of the Philippines, while FF stands for frigate.
According to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs, these activities were held in conjunction with the 3rd ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) 2025, 19th ASEAN Naval Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM), and the ASEAN Fleet Review (AFR), in line with Malaysia’s chairship of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Navies’ City Parade kicked off festivities with contingents of the 10 participating warships from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, marching with their colors, together with local Penang marching bands and cultural groups.
Ambassador Maria Angela Abrera Ponce joined Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr. Zulhelmy Ithnain and Penang Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang on stage in welcoming the participants.
Following the parade, Ambassador Ponce congratulated Admiral Tan Sri Dr. Zulhelmy, who also shared his fond memories of the Philippines, as he recalled his recent visit to Manila and his schooling at the National Defense College of the Philippines where he finished his Masters of National Security Administration (MNSA).
At the ASEAN Open Ship visit, BRP Antonio Luna Commanding Officer Jim Aris Alagao welcomed Ambassador Ponce and gave a short tour and briefing on the ship’s capabilities.
In her remarks, Ambassador Ponce commended Captain Alagao and the BRP Antonio Luna officers and crew for their commitment to promoting goodwill, mutual understanding, and maritime security cooperation within the ASEAN community.
She emphasized that their presence in Penang not only strengthens Philippines-Malaysia bilateral relations, but also advances the Philippines’ defense and security diplomacy in the region and most importantly strengthens people-to-people ties with the Malaysian public.
Visitors who toured the BRP Antonio Luna were not only given the privilege of hands- on learning of the ship’s capabilities but were also regaled by Filipino cultural dances and Filipino and Malaysian songs performed by the ship personnel’s talented dancers and singers.
For many of the visiting public, this cultural immersion contributed to the atmosphere of friendship and joy and singled out the BRP Antonio Luna among the 10 participating warships.
For more information, visit https://www.kualalumpurpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassykl.org.my or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMalaysia/.
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