The Philippine Coast Guard will install heavy artilleries on its ships patrolling the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in light of constant harassment by Chinese vessels.
PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the heavier weaponry will be set up on the two 97-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV), the BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino.
“In terms of weapon system, the Coast Guard has scheduled the installation of the 30-millimeter remote-controlled stabilized naval gun system on our 97-meter vessels,” Tarriela said in his remarks during the commemoration of the 9th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino were modelled after the Japan Coast Guard Kunigami-class vessel. It also has a maximum speed of up to 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles.
The PCG deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua to monitor China’s alleged reclamation activities in Sabina Shoal, as crushed corals were found dumped on the seabed of the contested territory on April 2024. The ship dropped anchor in the shoal for five months.
The PCG has since procured additional five 97-meter MRRVs from Japan, with the first of these expected to arrive in 2027.
