9-11-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines is set to deploy five coast guard vessels valued at half a billion dollars, funded through a Japanese government loan, to enhance its patrol capabilities in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The announcement came after a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who pledged to continue supporting the Philippines’ security capabilities. This move is part of the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its maritime security assets and bolster alliances to counter China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, particularly in areas contested by both nations.
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan revealed that these five 97-metre vessels are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, with a loan worth 29.3 billion pesos (approximately US$525 million) provided by Tokyo.
The project’s objectives include securing crucial sea lines of communication in the West Philippine Sea, the local name for the areas the Philippines claims in the South China Sea. It will also empower the Philippine Coast Guard to combat illegal activities and enforce maritime laws within the country’s waters.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital maritime route for trillions of dollars in global trade, despite a 2016 international ruling that rejected its claims as having no legal basis. Beijing deploys a large fleet of coast guard and other vessels in the disputed waters to enforce its territorial claims.
Japanese official development assistance has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of the Philippine coast guard. In recent years, Tokyo has financed the acquisition of two 97-metre and ten 44-metre patrol vessels for the agency.
During Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Manila, he also announced Japan’s commitment to providing the Philippines with a coastal radar surveillance system. Furthermore, he and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos agreed to initiate negotiations for a defense pact that would enable the two nations to deploy troops on each other’s territory.
