MANILA – Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya visited the 97-meter patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), the second ship of her class of patrol vessels operated by the Philippine Coast Guard.
According to the Embassy of Japan, Ambassador Endo inspected the bridge of the vessel and was briefed by PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan on coast guard operations in the waters surrounding the Philippines.
In a statement, Endo conveyed his appreciation that the Japan-supplied patrol vessels, including BRP Melchora Aquino, are contributing to coast guard operations within Philippine territorial waters.
He further stated that it is his aspiration to further strengthen and promote cooperative relationships between Japan and the Philippines in the future.
BRP Melchora Aquino is a PCG patrol vessel supplied by the Japanese Government under the Maritime Safety Capacity Improvement Project (Phase 2) in 2022, and is being utilized by the PCG for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and other operations.
Photo courtesy of Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
In an interview after the courtesy visit, Gavan said Japan has been providing the Philippines “with the most opportunities”, but offers from other countries are always welcome.
“We are very grateful for their cooperation to make sure the WPS [West Philippine Sea] remains peaceful, stable, and prosperous for our respective people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Japan is set to conduct a note signing for the acquisition of five 97-meter multi-role response vessels on Friday.
According to reports, the contract signing will ensure the expansion of the PCG fleet around 2027 to 2028.
Aside from BRP Melchora Aquino, the PCG also has another MRRV – BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and are both currently active in maritime security and safety operations.
Ambassador Endo has been making the rounds and conducting courtesy visits to different government departments and agencies since his arrival last March 14, 2024 and assumption as Japan’s top diplomat to the Philippines.
(Photo courtesy of Embassy of Japan in the Philippines)
