A patrol boat that aims to aid the Philippine Coast Guard in its anti-terrorism and anti-piracy missions was granted by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines yesterday.
The Embassy of Japan turned over the 15-meter patrol boat and an X-ray machine to the PCG in a simple ceremony yesterday.
The equipment, according to Vice Admiral Joel Garcia, Coast Guard commandant, will further enhance the country’s maritime safety, maritime security, and maritime law enforcement, as well as marine environmental protection and maritime search and rescue.
He said that the 15-meter patrol boat is suitable for quick response operations and retrieval missions as it runs at 29 knots with a capacity of up to 14 passengers. It is also capable of accosting terrorists, intruders, and poachers within the Philippine territory.
The X-ray machine is a compact and battery-operated equipment suitable for inspection in high or narrow places. It is controlled using a remote with a distance of up to 20 meters and provides real-time inspection images.
Garcia said the donation of the patrol boat is part of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s promise to President Duterte to improve the anti-piracy and anti-terrorism capability of the country.
Minister Masahiro Nakata of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan, also said that their nation is looking forward to boost its strategic relations with the Philippines on evolving challenges in the future, specifically in protecting its territorial waters and marine resources.
“Our commitment to the Philippines is far from over. Rest assured that we will further support the operations of the PCG by providing high-quality assets and by instilling the latest maritime know-hows to its technical personnel,” Nakata said. (Betheena Unite)