The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will begin marking all motor boats sailing across the country and most especially in the South.
This is part of the PCG’s anti-terrorism campaign.
The Coast Guard’s action is basis for the program the Department of Transportation and Communication’s Safety, Security and Environmental Numbering System.
Coast Guard Commader Joel Garcia says, the marking will be enforced especially for motorboats navigating in the waters of Mindanao.
He notes, the Abu Sayyaf uses motor bancas in their kidnapping activities.
The Coast Guard says, boats will be easily accounted for and identified even from a relative distance at sea if marked and numbered.
The target are vehicles travelling across the Celebes Sea and the seas of Sulu and Sibuto.