MANItLA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday green lighted the acquisition from Japan of five additional 97-meter boats for the Philippine Coast Guard .'Once delivered, we will have around eight large ships,'' PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said at a briefing in Malacañang.The first delivery of the big ships is expected in 2027 with the rest to be completed the following year.
It will enable the Philippine Coast Guard to have at least two patrol boats in every district, fast enough to reach edges of our socio-economic zone forms to enforce the laws,' Gavan stated.Twenty of the 40 units will be assembled in the Philippines.Some will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea as part of the PCG's 'mix of capabilities' to address security threats in and around the country's territorial waters.