Marines get 6 boats from US

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Marine Corps has new assets for its anti-terror drive as it received six boats from the United States (US).

The small unit riverine crafts were formally turned over by the US Embassy to the Marines in a ceremony held at the Navy headquarters in Manila.

Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano said the boats would greatly enhance the capabilities of the Marines.

“These water assets will be essential in maintaining maritime security and ascertain peace and order in our communities especially in littoral and riverine environment,” Alano said.

“The SURCs (small unit riverine crafts) will be deployed to augment our sea-based forces to address terrorism and lawlessness such as the current crisis in Mindanao,” he added.

The turnover ceremony was attended by Alano, Marines chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, In-shore Boat Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Noel Precioso and US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

The US-donated boats would be used for tactical mobility and as weapons platform to counter terrorist activities.

“It will also be used to provide platform for command and control, reconnaissance, logistic/resupply, medical evacuation, counter-drug operations, humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and non-combatant evacuation operations,” said Navy spokesman Lt. Commander  Gregory Fabic.

Thomas said the US government would continue to help enhance the capabilities of the Philippine military.

“We will use every chance we get to make the best of our resources, to make our units work seamlessly together and to build every unit as the best team possible”, he said.    

The US has vowed to upgrade the capabilities of the Philippines, its oldest ally in Asia.

The Philippines has acquired two US warships that have been considered as excess defense articles.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the biggest ships of the Philippine Navy, were acquired to improve the country’s maritime domain awareness. - Alexis Romero