The Philippines has secured a $413 million loan from Japan to purchase five new Philippines coast guard patrol vessels.
This move comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where China asserts expansive territorial claims disputed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
The 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels will significantly enhance the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capacity for maritime operations, particularly in addressing transnational crimes. The loan package also covers the development of necessary support facilities for the new ships.
This agreement strengthens the Philippines-Japan partnership, built on a foundation of trade, investment, and a shared interest in countering China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Negotiations are underway for a defense pact that would allow for troop deployments on each other’s soil.
The Philippines is not alone in its efforts to counter China’s dominance in the South China Sea. The recent Land Power in the Pacific symposium, co-hosted by the Philippines and the US, brought together representatives from 30 countries to discuss strategies for territorial defense. This highlights the growing regional cooperation to ensure a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.
