RP to beef up coast security

RP to beef up coast security

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines is adding more vessels and patrol boats to beef up security along its coasts, a presidential palace statement said yesterday.

Some 14 vessels worth US$39.42 million would be used to crack down on "illegal fishermen, smugglers, poachers and intruders," the statement said.

It said the government would also acquire a marine research vessel and two maritime patrol aircrafts to monitor and protect "our marine territories".

Aside from the 14 boats, the archipelago is eyeing 123 patrol boats to beef up coastal controls, the statement said.