Philippine Coast Guard heads west
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is moving an additional vessel to the South China Sea where it will be able to perform routine patrols in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal.
The 35m patrol boat will join the larger 56m BRP Pampanga, which itself commenced patrols in the area in July.
The 120t BRP Nueva Vizcaya is one of four Ilocos Norte-class patrol boats (pictured above) built by Tenix (now BAE Systems) in Australia. It was commissioned in 2001 and is operated by a crew of 20.
PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo spokesman explained: ‘The tour of duty of
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