PH to acquire 5 patrol vessels from Japan
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) plans to acquire five additional 97-meter offshore patrol vessels from Japan as it seeks to beef up its presence in the West Philippine Sea.
“The plan has been submitted to the Department of Transportation, which would be forwarded to the National Economic and Development Authority for processing,” PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu told the Inquirer.
Abu met with Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) president Dr. Tanaka Akihiko and Japanese Embassy officials at the PCG headquarters on Friday, where they discussed future collaborations, including the acquisition of more patrol ships. Jica earlier funded the PCG’s first two 97-meter vessels through an official development assistance loan of P6.4 billion.
