By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya visited one of the Philippine Coast Guard’s largest and most modern vessels, BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) on May 15, 2024.
The 97-meter-long multi-role response vessel also serves as a patrol vessel and was made in Japan through the auspices of JICA STEP Loan under the Philippine Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase 2.
Ambassador ENDO inspected the bridge of BRP Melchora Aquino and was also briefed by PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Latorilla Gavan about coast guard operations in the waters surrounding the Philippines.
Japan’s envoy expressed his appreciation that the Japan-supplied patrol vessels are contributing to the operations of the Philippine Coast Guard within the Philippine waters and conveyed his aspiration to further bolster and promote the cooperative relationship between Japan and the Philippines in the future.