MANILA, Philippines - Ten brand new Japanese patrol ships are scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard from 2014 and 2017.
Speaking to reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, Coast Guard commandant Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena said yesterday light guns will be installed on the ships after they are delivered.
“We will be installing the usual .50 caliber machine gun as the vessels would be used for maritime patrol and interdiction operations,” he said.
Built in Japan, the 35-footer patrol ships will be acquired through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Isorena said two ocean capable ships are on standby for deployment to Panatag Shoal once orders from the political leadership are given.
The Coast Guard is unable to monitor Panatag Shoal after two its ships were disengaged from the area several months ago, he added.
Since the standoff in April, Chinese maritime surveillance ships have maintained their presence in the area on a rotation basis.
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