BRP Mechora Aquino’s Maiden Voyage From Japan to Manila
Colonel Randy Espino, Defense Attaché, and Mr. Mahabsar B. Lucman, Assistant for Political Affairs, represented the Embassy at the sail-off ceremony for BRP MELCHORA AQUINO, Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 27 May 2022.
Yamaguchi, Prefecture – BRP MELCHORA AQUINO, second of the two 97-Meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) made in Japan for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), sailed off on its maiden voyage from Japan to Manila on 27 May 2022. The MRRV, also known as MRRV-9702, is expected to arrive at the Port of Manila on 01 June 2022.
The Philippine Embassy joined the visiting delegation from the Philippines led by Admiral George Ursabia, Undersecretary for Maritime of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Admiral Artemio Abu, Commandant of PCG, in sending off MRRV-9702 at a ceremony held in Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Colonel Randy Espino, Defense Attaché, and Mr. Mahabsar B. Lucman, Assistant for Political Affairs, represented the Embassy at the sail-off ceremony for BRP MELCHORA AQUINO, Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture on 27 May 2022.
“The ship symbolizes the strong partnership between the Philippines and Japan”, said PCG Commandant Abu in his remarks during the sail-off ceremony. He thanked the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the realization of the project. He added that the ship will serve as an instrument in promoting the rule of law at sea and in enhancing amity among neighboring nations in the region.
Attending the ceremony on behalf of Secretary of Transportation Arthur Tugade, Undersecretary Ursabia expressed his confidence that the PCG will take care of the vessel as “many lives depend on it”. He hopes that the PCG will utilize the prime features of the MRRV in “safeguarding the country’s maritime resources and in ensuring the observance of the rule of law in the country’s maritime jurisdiction”.
BRP Melchora Aquino sailed-off Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to Manila on 27 May 2022 for its turnover to the Philippine Government. BRP Melchora Aquino is the second of the two 97-Meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) procured by the Philippine Coast Guard from Japan.
The acquisition of MRRV-9702 is part of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase II for the PCG.
