CLOSE to 30 new speed boats will be distributed to the Philippine Naval Forces that will patrol Davao Gulf and the surrounding waters in Mindanao.
Vice Admiral Joseph Mercado, flag officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy, said last Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), has allocated funds for the augmentation of additional speed boats.
Vice Admiral Joseph Mercado, flag officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy, said last Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), has allocated funds for the augmentation of additional speed boats.
Around P600 million was allocated to purchase 10 speed boats for the naval operations group and another 10 to 20 speed boats for the Philippine Marines.
“The President, through DBM, has allocated funds for that and we are trying to acquire it,” Mercado said.
Mercado said there are two areas in Mindanao the Philippine Navy is trying to secure, and make sure that support from Malaysia and Indonesia do not come in to help Maute group in Marawi City.
“The President, through DBM, has allocated funds for that and we are trying to acquire it,” Mercado said.
Mercado said there are two areas in Mindanao the Philippine Navy is trying to secure, and make sure that support from Malaysia and Indonesia do not come in to help Maute group in Marawi City.
“What we are trying to do is to improve the maritime surveillance,” he said, adding that the maritime area particularly around Marawi City “is very wide.”
Currently, the Philippine Navy has put up their “littoral stations” in the different islands in Mindanao. These are fast vessels that can easily maneuver around waters. These stations contain radars that could detect and identify watercrafts, which in cases would help them capture potential terrorists who will enter the boarders through the water channel.
Currently, the Philippine Navy has put up their “littoral stations” in the different islands in Mindanao. These are fast vessels that can easily maneuver around waters. These stations contain radars that could detect and identify watercrafts, which in cases would help them capture potential terrorists who will enter the boarders through the water channel.
Mercado said, the second area they are working on is moving some of the assets so that there will be more ships patrolling the area. He noted however, that the navy ships are very limited (at present).
Moreover, the Philippine Navy is also conducting a multilateral coordinated patrol together with Indonesia and Malaysia.
Moreover, the Philippine Navy is also conducting a multilateral coordinated patrol together with Indonesia and Malaysia.
With the multilateral coordinated patrol, there will be no more sneak-ins in the waters as this will intercept those who will illegally use the entry points to set skirmishes in the area.
Even Malaysia and Indonesia on their part, Vice Admiral Mercado said, “admit that they cannot themselves monitor that particular area that is there is the multilateral patrol.”
He added, “At the very least I can say that the multilateral coordinated patrol is an improved maritime patrol. It will be more difficult for threat personalities to use the sea as a route.”
Even Malaysia and Indonesia on their part, Vice Admiral Mercado said, “admit that they cannot themselves monitor that particular area that is there is the multilateral patrol.”
He added, “At the very least I can say that the multilateral coordinated patrol is an improved maritime patrol. It will be more difficult for threat personalities to use the sea as a route.”
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