Coast Guard commissions two new French patrol boats vs smuggling
By AJ Siytangco
Published Oct 16, 2018 05:27 pm
By Roy Mabasa and Betheena Unite
Anti-smuggling operations in Philippine waters got a boost with the commissioning of two brand new 24-meter fast-patrol boats manufactured by French shipbuilder OCEA.
French Ambassador Nicolas Galey said France supports the development of Philippine maritime capabilities and protecting the country’s porous borders during the commissioning ceremony of the BRP Panglao and the BRP Boracay at Philippine Coast Guard headquarters Monday.
PCG Commandant, Admiral Elson E Hermogino (L) and BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña sign a memorandum of agreement stating that three of the four FPBs will be operated for the purpose of conducting joint operations in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control, prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud. (PCG / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We welcome the conclusion of this agreement between the Philippine government and OCEA, which is one of the global leaders in the shipbuilding industry, to acquire these vessels with the aim of developing the maritime capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard and protecting the country’s borders,” the French diplomat said.
The new patrol boats are part of a P5.82 billion contract (97 million euros) signed in 2014 between France’s OCEA and the Department of Transportation for the acquisition by the Philippine Coast Guard of four brand new 24-meter fast patrol boats and one 82-meter offshore patrol vessel.
According to the French Embassy in Manila, the contract was financed through an export-credit loan structured by the French banks BNP Paribas and CréditAgricole, with a guarantee from the French state.
The French-built vessels will seek to enhance the capability of the PCG in performing its functions on maritime security, safety, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection as well as offshore patrolling of the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Three of the four fast patrol vessels will be used in conducting joint operations between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Customs in protecting maritime borders and suppressing smuggling activities.
As part of the agreement, OCEA will provide training for the crew, a five-year period of maintenance, and the provision of spare parts.
The two remaining fast patrol boats are expected to be delivered before the end of this year, while the 82-meter offshore patrol vessel will be delivered to the PCG by August 2019.
The contract provides DOTr an option to acquire a second 82-meter offshore patrol vessel with armament.
“France has much to offer the Philippines in terms of maritime, military, and defense equipment, as well as expertise in these fields. We stand ready to present our proposals, according to the priorities of the Philippine government,” Galey said.
Joint operations
With the commissioning of the two patrol vessels, the heads of the Bureau of Customs and the Coast Guard signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in the conduct of anti-smuggling joint operations in Philippine waters.
Under the agreement, the Coast Guard will use three of its fast patrol vessels for joint operations in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control and prevention of the entry of smuggled goods, prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud.
In the spirit of inter-agency coordination and cooperation, the parties shall operate, navigate, and perform law enforcement functions onboard the three fast patrol vessels, the MOA stated.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena said they agreed that the Bureau shall be responsible for the issuance of Sailing Orders upon the need of the agency’s law enforcement operations.
Four customs officers and one customs police officer with a rank not lower thanspecialpolicelieutenant will be assigned onboard the patrol vessel during Customs-led and joint agency related operations, Lapena added.
Both agencies are authorized by law to board, inspect, search and examine a vessel and all types of merchant ships and water crafts and any container, trunk, package, box or envelope found on board and physically search and examine any person thereon within the Philippine Customs territory and maritime jurisdiction in the performance of their functions.
Captain Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesman said BRP Boracay (FPB 2401) and BRP Panglao (FPB 2402)will be jointly utilized by the two agencies against anti-smuggling operations.
With Coast Guard’s maritime security functions and the Customs’ intelligence and anti-smuggling expertise, joint operations are expected to bring more accomplishments, officials from both organizations said.
One patrol vessel, according to Coast Guard, can accommodate 27 persons or 12 crew members and 16 passengers.
Lapeña said the vessels will be deployed to the South(Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi area) and in the Visayas where smuggling is rampant.
Balilo said the patrol vessels, which have a maximum speed (light load) of up to 30 knots are specially designed for hot pursuit operations and can endure rough weather conditions.
PCG Commandant, Admiral Elson E Hermogino (L) and BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña sign a memorandum of agreement stating that three of the four FPBs will be operated for the purpose of conducting joint operations in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control, prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud. (PCG / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We welcome the conclusion of this agreement between the Philippine government and OCEA, which is one of the global leaders in the shipbuilding industry, to acquire these vessels with the aim of developing the maritime capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard and protecting the country’s borders,” the French diplomat said.
The new patrol boats are part of a P5.82 billion contract (97 million euros) signed in 2014 between France’s OCEA and the Department of Transportation for the acquisition by the Philippine Coast Guard of four brand new 24-meter fast patrol boats and one 82-meter offshore patrol vessel.
According to the French Embassy in Manila, the contract was financed through an export-credit loan structured by the French banks BNP Paribas and CréditAgricole, with a guarantee from the French state.
The French-built vessels will seek to enhance the capability of the PCG in performing its functions on maritime security, safety, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection as well as offshore patrolling of the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Three of the four fast patrol vessels will be used in conducting joint operations between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Customs in protecting maritime borders and suppressing smuggling activities.
As part of the agreement, OCEA will provide training for the crew, a five-year period of maintenance, and the provision of spare parts.
The two remaining fast patrol boats are expected to be delivered before the end of this year, while the 82-meter offshore patrol vessel will be delivered to the PCG by August 2019.
The contract provides DOTr an option to acquire a second 82-meter offshore patrol vessel with armament.
“France has much to offer the Philippines in terms of maritime, military, and defense equipment, as well as expertise in these fields. We stand ready to present our proposals, according to the priorities of the Philippine government,” Galey said.
Joint operations
With the commissioning of the two patrol vessels, the heads of the Bureau of Customs and the Coast Guard signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in the conduct of anti-smuggling joint operations in Philippine waters.
Under the agreement, the Coast Guard will use three of its fast patrol vessels for joint operations in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control and prevention of the entry of smuggled goods, prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud.
In the spirit of inter-agency coordination and cooperation, the parties shall operate, navigate, and perform law enforcement functions onboard the three fast patrol vessels, the MOA stated.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena said they agreed that the Bureau shall be responsible for the issuance of Sailing Orders upon the need of the agency’s law enforcement operations.
Four customs officers and one customs police officer with a rank not lower thanspecialpolicelieutenant will be assigned onboard the patrol vessel during Customs-led and joint agency related operations, Lapena added.
Both agencies are authorized by law to board, inspect, search and examine a vessel and all types of merchant ships and water crafts and any container, trunk, package, box or envelope found on board and physically search and examine any person thereon within the Philippine Customs territory and maritime jurisdiction in the performance of their functions.
Captain Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesman said BRP Boracay (FPB 2401) and BRP Panglao (FPB 2402)will be jointly utilized by the two agencies against anti-smuggling operations.
With Coast Guard’s maritime security functions and the Customs’ intelligence and anti-smuggling expertise, joint operations are expected to bring more accomplishments, officials from both organizations said.
One patrol vessel, according to Coast Guard, can accommodate 27 persons or 12 crew members and 16 passengers.
Lapeña said the vessels will be deployed to the South(Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi area) and in the Visayas where smuggling is rampant.
Balilo said the patrol vessels, which have a maximum speed (light load) of up to 30 knots are specially designed for hot pursuit operations and can endure rough weather conditions.