Makatutulong sa pagbabantay sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) ang limang barkong bibilhin ng pamahalaan sa Japan.
Ito ang pahayag ni Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan kasabay ng pasasalamat nito kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. kaugnay ng nasabing hakbang.
Nasa P29.3 bilyon ang badyet ng pamahalaan sa pagbili ng limang 97-meter multi-role response vessels.
Nauna nang sinabi ng pamahalaan na bahagi lamang ito ng kanilang official development assistance loan sa Japan.
"With meaningful approval from the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) Board, the five-year integrated logistics support would allow us to enhance our maritime security operations, specifically in the West Philippine Sea, Southern Philippines, and Benham Rise,” sabi pa ni Gavan.
PNA
