PH to acquire 5 more patrol ships from Japan

The Philippines on Friday signed an agreement with Japan for the acquisition of five 97-meter patrol ships that would strengthen the country's capability to guard its territory at a time of increased hostilities with China in the West Philippine Sea.

Provision of the vessels will be facilitated under a JPY64.38-billion (approximately P23.85 billion) Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan arrangement by Japan to the Philippines for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase III of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya led the signing and exchange of diplomatic notes ceremony on Friday.

“This occasion signifies not only the deepening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan but also underscores our unwavering commitment to enhance our maritime safety capabilities for the benefit of our nation and the broader maritime community.” Manalo said.

MSCIP 3 involves the acquisition of five additional units of 97-meter offshore patrol capable Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) coupled with the development of the required support facilities for the PCG, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement said.

"This will support the PCG in improving its capabilities for maritime operations particularly in addressing transnational crimes," it said.

Acquisition of five more ships is seen to boost Manila's coast guard capability to patrol and defend the country’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, including in the South China Sea. 

Parts of the waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone have been renamed West Philippine Sea.

A vital trading and shipping lane, the South China Sea, dotted with rocks, shoals and reefs where rich oil and mineral deposits were found, are claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. 

The Philippines largely won a landmark case against China’s massive claim in the South China Sea before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling. 

Ten Japanese-built 44-meter multi-purpose vessels and two 97-meter patrol ships — BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Teresa Magbanua — have been used extensively for patrol and have provided escort to Philippine Navy chartered boats during resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, also known by its international name Second Thomas Shoal.

Apart from disaster response function, these vessels are also being used to transport food, water and other basic supplies to other Philippine-occupied areas in the West Philippine Sea.

A number of 44-meter vessels currently being used the PCG has been damaged due to minor collisions and after being hit by high-pressure water cannons by the Chinese Coast Guard in disputed features that China claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Japan is the Philippines’ top bilateral ODA partner, with its long history of support for Philippine development priorities spanning infrastructure, health, human resources, agriculture, education, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among many others. 

Japan and the Philippines are establishing closer security ties in reaction to China's aggressive territorial assertions. China and Japan are also locked in a long-running territorial dispute over the Senkaku islands, which the Chinese call Diaoyu. —KBK, GMA Integrated News