PH Coast Guard eyes fleet base in Subic

MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is working toward the establishment of a fleet base in Subic, Zambales.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said they were currently identifying possible locations of port facilities that can accommodate bigger ships.

«On the issue of a port facility for these bigger ships, we are working toward the establishment of our fleet base in Subic,» Gavan said in an interview… «And we are also looking at other areas» within Manila Bay, Gavan said.

The PCG announced this as the country continues to face Chinese incursions into its territorial waters in the West Philippines Sea.

Aside from a new Coast Guard fleet base, Gavan said they were also beefing up their personnel, with 4,000 recruited this year and another 4,000 expected next year.

«We expect that we should be manned by at least 105,000 coast guards,» he said.