Duterte thanks Japan for Coast Guard ship, past aid

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday thanked the Japanese government for donating coast guard ships as well as for giving the Philippines other forms of aid. In his speech during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard, Duterte said the Philippines needs the ships because it does not have enough ships to watch over its more than 7,000 islands. “Let me start by giving our sense of gratitude to the Japanese ambassador for our heartfelt thanks for giving us ships, some are here, others are coming, and your desire to help the Philippines,” Duterte said. BRP Tubbataha, the first of 10 patrol vessels from Japan arrived in Manila Wednesday (Philstar) The BRP Tubattaha arrived in Pier 13 in Manila on Wednesday. It is the first of 10 Parola class Philippine Coast Guard vessels from Japan. In an interview in September, PCG spokesperson Commander Armando Balilo said the new ships would...