PCG, BOC get 2 more patrol boats vs smuggling

MANILA, Philippines — Two more French-made patrol boats to be used by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) in their campaign against smuggling arrived at the Subic Freeport Zone on Thursday. 

Capt. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said the patrol boats would be named BRP Malamawi and BRP Kalanggaman.

 Last September, the PCG commissioned two other French-made patrol boats and named them BRP Boracay and BRP Panglao.  

“The primary mission of these patrol boats is to fight smuggling. Three of these boats will be jointly operated by the PCG and BOC,” Balilo said.  

“This is the first time that we have devoted ships for anti-smuggling,” Balilo added.

The four patrol boats were acquired under the Philippine Ports and Coast Guard Capability Development Project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and PCG. 

The PCG said an 82-meter offshore patrol vessel is also set for delivery in August next year. 

The DOTr and French shipbuilder OCEA signed a contract for the acquisition of the patrol boats to boost the country’s maritime capabilities, including environmental protection.