Manila, May 27 -- The newly-commissioned guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), is the first Philippine Navy (PN) warship to be equipped with a "vertical launch system" (VLS) optimized for neutralizing air threats.

"Number one, it is our first asset (that has a) VLS onboard. Number two, why is it special? The warships that we have, that have anti-air warfare capability, you still have to maneuver to be able to fire. With BRP Miguel Malvar, you don't have to maneuver anymore, it is omni-directional, you can fire in whatever position you are in," PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a press briefing Tuesday, when asked what makes the BRP Miguel Malvar unique and special among other Navy ships.

VLS is an advanced sy...