Coast Guard receives training ship

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received on Monday a 61-meter training ship from the West Philippine Sea Foundation for civilian maritime purposes.

WPS Foundation president Jeffrey Ordaniel said the donation aims to support the PCG in maritime safety, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, marine environmental protection as well as maritime capacity-building.

“This donation is about saving lives, protecting our seas and building the capacity of the men and women of the PCG,” Ordaniel said.

The foundation said the donation was made for non-confrontational purposes, adding it is “not directed against any country.”

The vessel will be deployed in Mindanao, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.