The Japanese government provided a large patrol boat to the Coast Guard of the Philippines, and the inauguration ceremony was held in Manila on the 6th, in order to help China to use it for security in the South China Sea, which is strengthening its advance into the ocean.
The large patrol vessel "Teresa Magbanua" was donated, with a total length of about 97 meters and a total ton of 2260 tons, which is the largest vessel ever for the Philippine Coast Guard.
About 200 people attended the commissioning ceremony on the 6th, including local government officials, Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa stationed in the Philippines, and JICA = Japan International Cooperation Agency staff.
In the South China Sea, after China enforced the "Marine Police Law" in February last year, which allows the Maritime Police Law to use weapons, private transport vessels in the Philippines are sprayed by the China Coast Guard and patrol. The Philippine government has expressed strong concern as the patrol vessels inside are approached one after another.
The patrol vessel provided this time is equipped with the latest radar that can monitor a wide range of seas and an unmanned submersible that can be operated remotely, and is expected to be used for monitoring activities in the South China Sea as well as rescue activities in the event of a disaster. It means that it has been done.
The Government of Japan will continue to provide one large patrol vessel, and will strengthen cooperation with the Philippines toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific with China in mind, which will intensify its expansion into the South China Sea. It is a policy to do.
Ambassador Koshikawa said, "Japan has strong concerns about the situation surrounding the South China Sea, etc. Even if it becomes a new government, I would like to maintain and develop the relationship so far."