PCG to acquire 56 more vessels in five years

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is planning to acquire at least 56 more vessels within five years to strengthen maritime security and presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), its Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said Friday.

“Magdadagdag tayo ng at least 56 na barko. Sa pamamagitan po ng tulong ng ating Pangulo at ng Kongreso, 56 po na barko yung maidadagdag sa Coast Guard,” Gavan said at Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.

(We will add at least 56 ships. With the help of our President and Congress, 56 ships will be added to the Coast Guard.)

“By that time, in five years time, kapag lahat po ng programa ng ating Presidente ay natupad, mas lalo po tayong magiging mabilis,” he added.

(“By that time, in five years' time, when all of our President’s programs are implemented, we will be even faster.)

Gavan said the PCG’s strategy in the West Philippine Sea is anchored on three major pillars: maritime domain awareness and response, coastal state administration, and international cooperation.

The PCG aims to strengthen law enforcement, maritime patrols, and consistent presence in the WPS.

Gavan said a Coast Guard district was recently established on Pag-asa Island.

He added that the Coast Guard is also intensifying cooperation with allies and like-minded states, including the United States, Japan, Australia, and other ASEAN partners.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — BAP, GMA News