The Japan Ambassador to the Philippines has expressed his support on Thursday, Sept. 9, on the appointment of the new Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, saying it would ensure promotion of safe and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a Twitter post, Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said that he is looking forward to working with the new PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya in protecting waters in the region.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to the outgoing @coastguardph Commandant Adm. George V. Ursabia Jr. Under his guidance, maritime cooperation has been strengthened immensely. I look forward to working with new Commandant Leopoldo V. Laroya to keep the sea safe and peaceful. #FOIP pic.twitter.com/w264YQrvkE
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) September 9, 2021
“I look forward to working with new Commandant Laroya to keep the sea safe and peaceful,” Kazuhiko wrote in a Twitter post.
Laroya replaced Admiral George Ursabia Jr. who retired on Wednesday, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
READ MORE: Laroya named new PCG Commandant
The Japanese ambassador to the Philippines has also conveyed his heartfelt message of gratitude to the former PCG commandant.
“My heartfelt gratitude goes to the outgoing PCG Commandant Ursabia. Under his guidance, Japan and Philippine maritime cooperation has been strengthened immensely,” Kazuhiko wrote.
During Ursabia’s command, the Philippines and Japan had successfully launched one of the two 97-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) of the PCG held at Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan last July 26.
The two 94-meter MRRVs will be the largest vessels of the Coast Guard’s fleet once delivered in the country.
The MRRVs were modeled after the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Kunigami-class vessels, which have an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 24 knots.
The first 94-meter MRRV is expected to arrive in Manila in March 2022, while the second vessel will arrive in May 2022.
READ MORE: PCG’s largest multi-role response vessel launched virtually in Japan