MRRV 4403 BRP Malapascua

The Department of Transportation presided the commissioning ceremony of the MRRV-4403 BRP Malapascua vessel to the Philippine Coast Guard from Japan earlier today.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade led the commissioning of the MRRV 4403 BRP Malapascua earlier today.

The 44-meter long bulletproof vessel is the third of the ten ships the Philippine government ordered from Japan under the maritime safety capability improvement project.

Tugade says the arrival of vessels from other countries for the maritime operations of the Philippines serves as a manifesto of the continuing improvement and modernization program of the current administration.

“I hope that what we do today is not the end of the modernization program but rather the beginning of both fleets coming in more helicopters being purchased more construction being put in place”, Secretary Tugade said.

Commodore Joel Garcia, the OIC of the Philippine Coast Guard says Japanese technology would significantly help in the improvement of PCGs equipment especially in suppressing piracy in Philippine islands.

“We have to have that safety security safety environmental numbering system on the haul of the boats for at least to law enforcers of the Coast Guards like policemen and military once they are at sea they can easily discern or distinguish those boats number automatically they will become suspects in operation”, said Commodore Garcia.

The delivery of the vessels from Japan is expected to be completed in 2018.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa says Japan also pledges to become Philippines’ partner in improving its infrastructure, human resource development and in taking steps to reduce poverty rates.

He says such programs are part of his country’s efforts to maintain a good relationship with the Philippines.

“At a summit meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe clearly stated that Japan would continue to assist the Philippines in its endeavor to develop the society”, said Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa. – Aiko Miguel | UNTV News and Rescue

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