PHL Coast Guard receives new vessel from Japan

A Japanese-made vessel has arrived in Manila and is now part of the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) fleet, a News TV Live report said Tuesday.

According to the PCG, the BRP Malapascua can be equipped with .50 caliber machine guns and has night vision capability.

The BRP Malapascua, which is third of the 10 Multi-Role Response Vessels built and delivered from JMU Yokohama Shipyard in Japan, is 44.5 meters long and has a top speed of 25 knots.

The vessel was acquired through the P8.807-billion Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project loan agreement between the Department of Transportation and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The PCG said the vessel would be deployed in Sulu to fight terrorism and piracy.

The commissioning ceremony of BRP Malapascua was attended by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Officials from Japan Embassy and JICA were also present. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News