PCG’s new multi-response vessel to be deployed in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The newest multi-response vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be deployed in Sibutu Passage in Mindanao amid reports of sea piracy and kidnappings. 

The BRP Sindangan, which is equipped with a bulletproof navigation bridge, fire monitors as well as a workboat and has radio direction finder and night vision capabilities, arrived at the PCG’s Ready Force Pier 13 yesterday. 

PCG spokesman Cmdr.  Armand Balilo said the BRP Sindangan would complement four other ships patrolling Sibutu Passage, which separates Borneo from the Sulu archipelago. 

The BRP Nueva Vizcaya, a monitoring, control and surveillance ship, and two other PCG vessels are also deployed in the area. 

The PCG said at least 22 kidnapping incidents in the Sulu, Celebes and Sibutu seas have been reported since March 2016. 

The ship is the sixth multi-response vessel built in Japan after the BRP Tubbataha, Malabrigo, Malapascua, Capones and Suluan.

The PCG will receive 10 other vessels from the Japan Marine United Corp. as part of official development assistance.

The project is worth P8.8 billion, of which P7.373 million is covered by a loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.