This was the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, during the arrival ceremony for the second 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) of the PCG, the MRRV-9702 to be commissioned as BRP MELCHORA AQUINO today, 01 June 2022.

“Today, we have all the reasons to celebrate and rejoice because another source of pride and hope is with us this morning. The arrival of this vessel sends a strong message that our country is moving ahead as a maritime nation,” CG Admiral Abu said.

Moreover, the Coast Guard Commandant recognized the sailing crew of MRRV-9702 headed by CG Commander Patrick Babag for ensuring the safe voyage of MRRV-9702 from Japan on 27 May 2022.

“During the send-off ceremony in Japan, ang tanging pabaon namin ay panalangin for their safe and enjoyable journey from Japan to Manila. Maraming salamat sa inyo for the courage and the competence in braving the seas,” the Coast Guard Commandant furthered.

To conclude, CG Admiral Abu thanked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade for allowing the PCG to improve its assets and pursue its modernization program.

The MRRV-9702, modeled after the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Kunigami-class vessel, has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots, and endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles. It is also capable of conducting sustained maritime patrols in the country’s maritime jurisdictions, including the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise.

The first 97-meter MRRV of the PCG, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) was commissioned into the Coast Guard service on 06 May 2022.

These two vessels were under the DOTr’s Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase II – a Japanese-assisted project funded by an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Also present during the arrival ceremony were: DOTr Assistant Secretary for Maritime, Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr; Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.’s Project Manager for MSCIP Phase 2, Mr. Nakato Nakamura and other representatives; Japan Marine Science Inc. (JMSI) Co-Project Manager for MSCIP Phase 2, Dr. Yasuo Nakajo and other representatives; as well as PCG officers and non-officers.