PCG activates largest ship in its fleet

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) formally commissioned into service on Friday, May 6, its newest and biggest ship to date — the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) — which will be used to patrol the country’s vast maritime territory including the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

PCG Commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu graced the commissioning ceremony of the 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua at Pier 15, Port Area, Manila with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua is the lead ship of the two Kunigami-class vessels that the PCG procured from Japanese shipbuilder, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.

It has a maximum speed of at least 24 knots and an endurance of at least 4,000 nautical miles. It is capable of conducting sustained maritime patrols in the country’s maritime jurisdictions, especially in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and is expected to “improve the PCG's maritime security and maritime safety operations in the vast exclusive economic zone of the country.”

Abu thanked President Duterte for his “unwavering support” to the on-going capacity build up and modernization of the PCG

“This magnificent ship will be the ‘Guardian of Peace at Sea’ and a beacon for the rule of law,” Abu said.

“This ship gives us an added capability and confidence to perform our mandated functions and to further implement and adhere to the rule of law within our territorial waters,” he added.

The PCG’s latest acquisition was named after Teresa Magbanua, a local heroine known as the “Visayan Joan of Arc.”

Magbanua was a school teacher and a military leader who was born in Pototan, Ilo-ilo and joined the Panay-based Visayan Katipunan in 1896. She won numerous battles against foreign invaders during the Spanish colonization.

According to Abu, Magbanua was the only female katipunera who led Filipino troops into combat in the Visayan area, and was known for her courage and skills in combat, “exceptional charisma” to command, and “genuine compassion” in looking after the welfare of her troops.

“This ship’s name mirrors the valor, indomitable fighting spirit and unequalled commitment of her namesake. Like Teresa Magbanua, today’s event fuels our passion to serve, and strengthens our motivation to be always responsive to defend our country’s interest [and] preserve its territorial integrity,” Abu said.

Meanwhile, the sister ship of BRP Teresa Magbanua is slated to arrive in Manila from Japan next month. She will be commissioned as BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702).

The BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino were acquired for JPY14.6 billion (₱7 billion) by the PCG under the DOTr’s Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase II.

The project was funded through a soft loan via Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) with the help of Japan Cooperation Agency (JICA).