Germany to deliver additional drones for PCG’s West PH Sea response

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Coast Guard patrols Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on April 27, 2021. Photo from PCG

MANILA, Philippines — Germany is set to deliver additional drones for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to be used for its operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) among other functions, its spokesperson Rear Admiral Armado Balilo said on Thursday.

Balilo told reporters that Germany will provide “additional drones that can be utilized in the performance of our functions, WPS operations included.”

Asked as to how many additional drones the country will provide, Balilo said: “around four or more.”

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The PCG spokesperson said the drone delivery  is part of the €129 million (P7.9 billion) initial assistance from the German government.

In 2022, Berlin provided two drones for the PCG which are being utilized for training, according to the official.

This development comes as German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Manila on Thursday to pay a courtesy visit in Malacañang with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

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Baerbock also paid a courtesy visit to the PCG Headquarters in Port Area.

The German official is on an official visit in the country from Jan. 11 to 12, upon the invitation of Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.