US mulls expanding patrol boat program in PH

MANILA, Philippines–The United States is planning to expand a patrol boat program it sponsors for the Philippine National Police which helps secure vital international sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea, a high ranking police official said on Friday.

Police Director Samuel Diciano, PNP Director director for operations, said the US International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program was eyeing building two more Special Boat Units (SBU) stations in Taganak, Turtle Islands and in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to maximize the unit’s operational capability of the SBU.

This came after US ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. on Thursday turned over to the PNP two 31-footer rigid-hull boats for the SBU stations in Puerto Princesa and Balabac, Palawan.

“The operation of the SBU is not solely for internal security and domestic law enforcement,” Diciano said in a statement.

“The SBU stationed in Puerto Princesa and Balabac form part of a tri-lateral security system that will ensure maritime security in the international sea lanes in the waters off Palawan and in the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, bordering the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, as these sea lanes are vital to the economy of the three countries,” he added.

Diciano said the SBU now has six police patrol boats (PBBs) donated by the US and they are now deployed in areas patrolled by the PNP Maritime Group in Palawan.

He said six PBBs were part of the US$9-million technical assistance package provided by the US government to the PNP.

The PPBs, manufactured by NAIAD of Rhode Island in the US are powered by twin 250HP engines that can reach speeds of up to 51 knots, and are fully equipped with navigation, communication and weapons systems.

The new boats come with complete support equipment including trailers, tow trucks and spare engines.

The ICITAP has provided the technical assistance and logistics for establishment of the SBUs in Palawan.

The US-sponsored project was launched in 2009 with the formal inauguration of the SBU headquarters and boathouse in Puerto Princesa.

Constructed on a 2,000-square meter lot donated by Puerto Princesa, the SBU boathouse is equipped with dry-dock facilities for boat repair and maintenance.

The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have also been involved in strengthening maritime law enforcement in the seas bordering North Sulawesi and Mindanao as a measure against transnational crime and terrorism in the high seas.

“Thru these international cooperation and initiatives, we are confident the PNP will be able to effectively play its active role in maritime law enforcement and security in the Southeast Asian region,” Diciano said.