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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos vows to beef up Coast Guard capability in securing WPS

Marcos vows to beef up Coast Guard capability in securing WPS

Published Oct 17, 2023 08:37 am

The Philippines will continue to increase its maritime capability in order to defend its territory amid the problems the country is facing in the West Philippine Sea. 

Screenshot 2023-10-17 153449.png
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (RTVM Screenshot)

President Marcos made the statement on Tuesday, Oct. 17, after leading the inspection of the BRP Malabrigo, the vessel that was water cannoned by China Coast Guard in Ayungin Shoal in August. 

"Makikita naman natin na nag-i-increase ang ating capability para makapag-defend sa maritime territory ng Pilipinas (We can see that our capability is increasing to defend the maritime territory of the Philippines)," Marcos said in a media interview. 

The President stressed that the upgrading of Coast Guard capability is not only to bolster the country's defense in the West Philippine Sea but also to boost the country's sea incidents and disaster response.

 "We are continuing with the upgrading of the equipment and the training of all our people, especially the Coast Guard, not only because they are on the frontline of the problems that we are facing in the West Philippine Sea. But also because of the very important function that they play when it comes to search and rescue, when it comes to maritime incidents, when it comes to even disaster assistance, e marami silang ginagawa (they are doing many things)," he said. 

Marcos said the PCG will eventually have 40 40-foot vessels "that will give us an increased capability," he added the effort is "ongoing."

He also expressed confidence that the acquisition of more vessels is possible given that the Philippines "is lucky to have many friends around the world" including neighboring countries that are willing to help the country in its modernization plan. 

"The new vessel that we are seeing there, the 40-foot vessel from Cebu, 'yan ang isa sa mga idadagdag natin (that's one of the vessels that we are adding). We will eventually have 40 of them that will give us an increased capability. This is ongoing," the Chief Executive said 

"Well, the Philippines is lucky as we have many friends around the world and marami sa ating mga kaibigan na karatig bansa at kahit yung galing sa malalayo ay tinutulungan tayo para pagandahin at patibayin ang ating Coast Guard (and many neighboring countries and even those from far areas are helping us to improve our Coast Guard)," he added. 

According to PCG Spokesperson Armand Balilo, the President was referring to the ongoing project of 40 units of 15-meter patrol boats. 

Related Tags

Philippine Coast Guard West Philippine Sea President Marcos Ayungin Shoal
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