MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Vice Admiral Toribo Adaci Jr. became Philippine Navy Chief in 2022, a force that had begun to modernize as the country shifted its focus from land-based counter-insurgency to maritime and aerial territorial defense. Since then, the 40th Flag Officer-in-Command has overseen the country’s first-ever launch of an anti-ship missile and increased multilateral cooperation with allies in the South China Sea.
Naval News had the chance to interview the Philippine Navy Chief during Asia Defense and Security 2024, an exhibition that began a decade ago and caters to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization programs. Despite the country pledging to modernize its armed forces in 2012, following tensions with China over Scarborough Shoal within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, many of the phases, known as “Horizons,” remain incomplete. In 2023, Manila decided to reconsolidate its modernization efforts into a “Re-Horizon 3,” which essentially promises to bring in the capabilities that the earlier phases were supposed to deliver.
With an increased focus on territorial defense, the Philippine Navy is expected to receive funding for more warships and systems. In January, Philippine President Marcos approved the Re-Horizon 3 program. “We look forward for the implementation of this program. We expect to get modern platforms and systems for our Navy,” said Adaci.
Compared to navies around the region, the Philippines has long lagged behind with its Second World War-era vessels and lack of modern capabilities. The force commissioned its first modern warship, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) in 2020, and has only recently retired the majority of its dated fleet.
“We have retried our legacy ships, and now we are using modern vessels. We are excited with more modern platforms coming in the next few years. It’s a good thing, because we have a lot of catching up in terms of modernization,”
– Vice Admiral Adaci
During a tour of Naval Operating Base Subic a few days before our interview with Adaci, many sailors and officers on the fleet’s newest warships emphasized how far the fleet has come. For an officer onboard BRP Tarlac (LD-601), the new Indonesian-built amphibious assault vessel was a far cry from his first command, a landing ship tank that participated in D-Day. Meanwhile, a sailor onboard Jose Rizal mentioned that his first warship was a patrol craft escort designed to hunt down German submarines during the Battle of the Atlantic.
While some legacy vessels remain in service, mostly landing ship tanks, the fleet phased out the last Second World War-era warship in 2021. This modernization has also propelled the fleet into what Adaci called the “missile age.” When asked what the most exciting thing that has occurred under his command, Adaci stressed the importance of the force’s first missile launches “because that is something new with the Philippine Navy.”
“It is exciting because now we can consider ourselves in the missile age, having fired our C-Star missiles, our SPIKE ER missiles, SPIKE NLOS missiles,” said Adaci, referring to the launches onboard Jose Rizal during Balikatan 2024 and smaller fast attack craft.
It should be noted that aside from Korean and Israeli systems, the service received its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from India earlier this year. While operated by the Philippine Marine Corps, this component makes up the Navy alongside the Philippine Fleet. Naval News previously reported on the construction of the country’s first missile base. It is unclear when the service’s BrahMos systems will become operational.
On the West Philippine Sea and Patrols with Allies
Compared to the Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy has taken up a support role under what Adaci described as a “white-to-white approach.” In the West Philippine Sea, the portion of the South China Sea that encompasses the Philippine exclusive economic zone, Manila has decided to deploy its Coast Guard and other civilian agencies in hotspots with China. Starting from last year, the Coast Guard’s limited fleet of 13 oceangoing patrol vessels have been damaged by Chinese forces deploying water cannons and rammings. The agency’s flagship, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), had to withdraw from Sabina Shoal following a ramming and blockade by Chinese forces.
The Philippine Navy Chief stressed that the Navy is “always there in the background providing support,” and that they were ready to support and take the lead in the West Philippine Sea if called upon.
BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the service’s second most modern warship, had to cancel its deployment to Australia for Kakadu 2024 due to more pressing concerns occurring at home. While Adaci emphasized the value of foreign training, conducting maritime patrols to ensure the country’s defense takes precedence. An interview with the missile frigate’s former Captain, Clyde Domingo, revealed how crucial the Philippine Navy’s grey hulls were in patrolling the country’s waters in the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s just that at those times, there were more pressing concerns that necessitated the use of our vessels. So we prioritized the conduct of patrols rather than sending them overseas for training exercises,” said Adaci.
Regarding the service’s increased cooperation with allies and partners, the Navy chief appreciated the efforts of like-minded countries in helping the Philippines assert its sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.
“It’s good because we share the same interest and you see the effect of like-minded states and countries coming together for a single purpose. All of us would like to promote the rules-based approach, respect for international law, and freedom for navigation and overflight. That is something that all nations, not only the Philippines, Australia, United States, Japan, and a few European countries, should all be ready to stand for international law.”
For most of its history, the Navy conducted only bilateral exercises with the U.S. However, since the begining of joint patrols and maritime cooperative activities, the Philippines has increased its engagements with a number of countries.
“During our time when we had a lack of multilateral cooperative activities, it used to be bilateral exercises with the U.S. But now it is common to see Philippine Navy ships, U.S. Navy ships, Australian Navy ships, Japanese Navy ships, French ships, sailing together. It’s continuing engagement, I’m sure that there will be more MCAs in the future,” said Adaci.
Naval News also interviewed VADM Adaci in video:
