The Philippine Navy, PN, formally welcomed the two brand new missile capable Shauldig MK. V-FAST-Attack Interdiction Craft Missile, F-A-I-C-M, during the naming ceremony at the Commodore Davino Pier at the PN headquarters on September 6. Armed forces of the Philippines, AFP, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bicaro witnessed the event as the keynote speaker along with his wife Soledad as Lady Sponsor who initiated the traditional breaking of a sacrificial bottle of wine on the F-A-I-C Miss. He was joined by Navy Flag Officer in command, Vice Admiral Adelouis Bourdotto, other AFP senior officials, and relatives of the vessel's namesakes. Lieutenant General Bicaro lauded this milestone in the AFP modernization program that shall strengthen our naval capability on literal defense and maritime interdiction operations, and likewise decisively forward our self-reliant defense posture program to make our armed forces at par with nations in the region. These patrol boats shall significantly enhance our external and internal defense operations in terms of securing our borders against foreign intrusions, and in providing naval warfare support to our ground troops during the conduct of joint operations. The first two vessels of the Isaro-class patrol gunboat are named after both Philippine Marine Corps heroes and medal for valor recipients, the late private first-class Nestor F. Isaro, and the late first lieutenant Lallonato G. T'ong. Soon to be commissioned BRP Nestor Isaro, PG-901, and BRP Lallonato T'ong, PG-902, are part of the nine-shall-dig MKV, contracted with the Israel shipyards limited with an approved budget of 10 billion pesos inclusive of missile and weapon systems. Three more are slated to be delivered beginning this year while the remaining four units will be constructed at the PN Shipyard in Naval Station Pasquale, La Dessima, Caviti City. These 32-meter, high-speed vessels are equipped with quick interceptability, remote stabilized weapons, and short-range missiles that are capable to deliver precision strikes against larger hostels and high-value targets on land or sea. Sighting the Philippine's geographic configuration characterized by its proximity to major regional sea lanes and contested waters in its complex archipelagage and porous nature, Vice Admiral Bordado emphasized that these new FACM vessels are designed to enhance the Navy's capability in addressing threats within our unique archipelagage composition, at the same time, protect our maritime interests in a rapid and precise manner. The acquisition of these vessels is a giant leap forward in the Navy's continuing capability upgrade in order to achieve a minimum credible defense posture and to assert more efficiency in the conduct of its mandated task.