The chairperson of the House strategic intelligence committee has endorsed the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG’s) plan to acquire two additional French-made high-endurance offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) at an estimated cost of P11.2 billion. “The two 84-meter OPVs will reinforce the PCG’s capability to intercept Chinese and other foreign fishing vessels that may stray into our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said in a statement on Sunday. “We must stress that PCG patrol boats, and not Philippine Navy warships, are the ones expected to actually stop, board and inspect foreign vessels suspected of illegal fishing and other criminal activities within our EEZ,” Pimentel said.

Acquisition of new PCG interceptors for WPH draws congressional support. (2021, August 23). Daily Guardian, p. 2.