The Philippine Navy (PN) thanked its South Korean counterpart for its continuous assistance in the naval service’s ongoing modernization program.

“We thank your Navy for helping in our modernization program, particularly the manufacture of our frigates, corvettes, and offshore patrol vessels in South Korea,” PN Chief, Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., said.

Adaci made the remark during the visit of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) chief of naval operations, Adm. Lee Jong-Ho, and his party to the PN headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Tuesday.

He was referring to the missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), which were constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries and are now in service, along with the two corvettes and six offshore patrol vessels being constructed by the South Korean shipyard.

Aside from this, the PN also benefited from the ROKN’s donation of the “Pohang” class corvettes, one of which, the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), is in service, with two more on the way.

“The two leaders discussed the continuing partnerships between the two nations during the visit that served as a good follow-through to the engagements that the PN and ROKN have had over the last several months,” PN spokesperson Capt. Benjo Negranza said in a statement Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Lee congratulated the PN for its successful activities and eyed more future engagements to further strengthen the strategic relationship between the Philippines and South Korea.

Adaci also emphasized the sustainment of Navy-to-Navy talks between the two countries as he finds them highly beneficial to both navies.

“We learn a lot from you and it is one way for us to discover avenues of cooperation in terms of education and training, and modernization,” he said. (PNA)