She was formerly a USN Auk-class minesweeper produced during World War II, and was later on classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines.

Along with other ex-World War II veteran ships of the Philippine Navy, she was considered one of the oldest active fighting ships in the world,[4] up until its decommissioning on 1 March 2021 after serving a total of 77 years, of which 53 years were with the Philippine Navy.

[5] USS Vigilance (AM-324) was originally laid down for the Royal Navy under the lend-lease program as HMS Exploit (BAM-24).

Quezon completed a rehabilitation overhaul in April 1996 by Hatch & Kirk, wherein she was fitted with a re-manufactured EMD 645C diesel engines, rehabilitation works, and equipping the ship with state-of-the-art safety equipment on deck and engine room with all digital control panels.

[12] BRP Quezon represented the Philippines in the Indonesian Fleet Review and Sail Bunaken 2009 festival, an international sea event held in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.