The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has received the first of 10 multi -role response vessel from Japan, the BRP Tubbataha, on Thursday at Pier 13, South Harbor.

The ship and its 12-man crew were welcomed by Coast Guard, led by Rear Admiral Willian Melad, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and representatives of the Japanese government.

In an ambush interview, Melad said as a multi-role response vessel, BRP Tubbataha can be deployed for maritime security patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea.

“It could be deployed anywhere. This is a multi-role response vessel it could be (used in) search and rescue, maritime safety operation, maritime security and law enforcement…. If we will prioritize given the limitation of our assets it could be deployed in southern Philippines even in West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Melad said the BRP Tubbataha is to be commissioned to Coast Guard service on September 22.

He said the commissioning ceremony may be led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The vessel is part of the 10 multiple-role response vessels that were acquired by the Philippines under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project of the transportation department that implemented as an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project through a tied loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The 44-meter vessel, named after the Tubbataha lighthouse located at the Tubbataha Marine National Park has a standard cruising speed of 25 knots, and a range of 1,500 nautical miles. Robina Asido/DMS