New PCG chief says acquisition of 10 Japanese patrol ships certain

From the Philippine Star (Dec 21): New PCG chief says acquisition of 10 Japanese patrol ships certain

Newly-installed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commander Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said today that the acquisition of 10 Japanese patrol ships is a done deal and delivery of these brand-new vessels to his unit has been scheduled from 2014 and 2017. “It’s a done deal,” Isorena told Camp Aguinaldo reporters where he was among the guests in today’s AFP 77th founding anniversary celebration. The patrol vessels, all 35-footer will be built by Japan and will be acquired by the government through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The vessels would be armed as the Coast Guard intends to install light guns when they’re finally delivered. “We will be installing the usuall .50 caliber machinegun as the vessels would be used for maritime patrol and interdiction operations,” the new Coast Guard commander said.

http://www.philstar.com/breaking-news/2012/12/21/888750/new-pcg-chief-says-acquisition-10-japanese-patrol-ships-certain