I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Japanese government for the 10 patrol boats they will give to augment the capabilities of our Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). However, I think it would be best if we clarify that this gesture of Japan is not a donation but a part of a loan program agreed upon in 2013.
Assuming that the loan is fair, we have reasons to believe that it is in our country’s best interest to enter into more similar agreements to shore up our maritime capabilities, not just those of the PCG but also of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And this isn’t just because of our territorial disputes, but also because our country is an archipelago with one of the longest coastlines in the world, which is being frequented by destructive calamities.
We also need to do better with our ports and naval bases in order to accommodate new and bigger vessels. To think that we would have to rely on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States to do this is saddening. But in light of recent overwhelming events, we need all the bargain offers we can find.
—JUN MATEO R. SALAZAR,
junmateosalazar@yahoo.com