Welcome to the Philippines, PCG’s 97m MRRV "BRP TERESA MAGBANUA!"

The first 97m-class patrol vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) "BRP TERESA MAGBANUA” finally arrived in Manila at the end of February. Thanks to the skillful Filipino crew members of the PCG trained at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Japan, the ship has sailed safely from Shimonoseki Shipyard to Manila. 
 
Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko, together with Hon. Secretary Arthur Tugade, National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon and newly appointed PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Artemio M Abu, attended the ocular visit/ inspection, and press conference onboard on March 1, 2022 at Pier 15 South Harbor, Manila. The vessel, whose beautiful white hull shines under the Manila sky, is a fitting symbol of Japan-Philippines cooperation in the field of maritime security.  
 
Ambassador assured that BRP Teresa Magbanua will serve as a flagship that will fully demonstrate its abilities during PCG operations. Expressing his heartfelt welcome and congratulation to Vice Admiral Abu for his appointment as the Commandant of the PCG, Ambassador also said, “Welcome to "BRP TERESA MAGBANUA," a 97m multi-role response vessel (MRRV) in Manila from Japan! This magnificent ship will be the guardian of peace at sea and a beacon for the #RuleOfLaw.”, in his twitter. 
 
Japan-PCG cooperation has further deepened through technical cooperation, grant aid, and official development assistance (ODA) loans. With the joint Japanese-Philippines Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase 1 and Phase 2, the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided vital watercraft to strengthen the PCG. Among these are ten (10) 44m-class MRRVs and two (2) 97m-class MRRVs with advanced communications monitoring technology. 
 
Poised to become the PCG’s biggest flagship vessel,  BRP Teresa Magbanua is the first of  two (2) 97m-class MRRVs to be delivered to the PCG in 2022.  The second vessel will arrive in May. These Japan-made vessels are designed to improve the PCG's vigilance and surveillance capacity. 
 
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