Navy patrolling Davao Gulf 24/7

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 7): Navy patrolling Davao Gulf 24/7

The Philippine Navy is patrolling Davao Gulf 24/7 with dedicated naval assets to do the job.

These naval vessels include two patrol craft escorts (PCE), one patrol gunboat,  three patrol craft fast (PCF) and two patrol boat light (PBL).

Captain Jose Maria Espeleta Deputy Commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao said the patrols are conducted also during night time in a vast maritime area ranging from Davao Gulf up to the coast of Saranggani Province.

Yesterday (April 5) the patrol arrested three fishing motorboats using illegal fishing gear off the coast of Babak in the Island Garden City of Samal.

The naval patrol are aimed at preventing another repeat of incident in a resort in Samal Island in 2015 where Abu Sayaff terrorists kidnapped three foreigners and a Filipina, the two foreigners were later executed by the Abu Sayaff.

Espeleta said that they would need more ships and patrol crafts to effectively cover their area of responsibility. He also hopes that NFEM’s air patrol capability will be returned.

The naval unit used to have two BN-2 Islander aircraft but they are currently deployed in Cavite. He hopes that the recent delivery of Japanese TC90 maritime patrol aircraft will make available air assets for NFEM.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1541491552061/navy-patrolling-davao-gulf-24-7