THE Philippines’ maritime patrols are expected to be boosted with its acquisition of a destroyer-type vessel from South Korea, Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Thursday.
He said the South Korean government will donate the Pohang-Class Flight III anti-submarine corvette within the year for a token fee of $100.
“The transfer will be in the form of a donation, but we will pay a token fee of 100 dollars,” Andolong said.
“We have sent a letter to the government of South Korea expressing our intent to acquire one Pohang-class corvette and we are hoping to receive the vessel within the year.”
The Pohang-class corvette served during the Cold War era when 24 were built. Eighteen are still in commission.
During the incumbency of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, the government attempted to acquire a Pohang-class vessel, but the plans were scuttled as the ship they claimed as too old.
The South Korean government has already donated two ships to the Philippine Navy that it now uses for its maritime patrols.