By Aerol John Pateña/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has received two speedboats from the government of Japan which will be utilized to strengthen its campaign against piracy and terrorism.
The two 12-meter high speedboats were handed over in a ceremony graced by Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda which was held at the PCG national headquarters in Manila last Wednesday.
The boats can carry eight personnel and has maximum speed of 50 nautical miles per hour.
“The speedboats will boost the law enforcement capability of the PCG especially in the Southern Philippines where it will be utilized for anti-piracy and terrorism campaign of the government,” said PCG Commandant, Admiral Elson Hermogino, in a statement.
The speedboats are part of the anti-terrorism packages under Japan’s Grant Aid for the Social and Economic Development Program for the Philippines as requested by President Rodrigo R. Duterte from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during one of his visits in Japan.
The government of Japan has turned over last year 10 seven-meter rigid hull inflatable boats which are now being utilized by the PCG for coastal security patrol in Palawan, Visayas and southwestern Mindanao.
