Navy retires 2 legacy ships

The Navy retired on Wednesday two of its legacy ships, including a 54-year-old vessel, since they have “outlived their usefulness.” Legacy ships are World War II vintage or pre-Korean warships. “The only way to modernize is to retire old capabilities so we can train or capacitate our personnel for new capabilities,” Navy flag officer in command Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad said of BRP Rizal and BRP Nicolas Mahusay. Empedrad said they were expecting the arrival of new missile frigates, BRP Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna, within the year. —Jeannette I. Andrade