The United States Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) and the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) sail in formation as seen from BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15) during the recent Maritime Cooperative Activity (Credit: Armed Forces of Philippines)

US Naval Institute News reports,

The Philippines is set to receive transfers of American and Japanese vessels to bolster its Coast Guard and Navy fleets operating in the South China Sea.

American and Japanese defense officials pledged to reinforce Manila’s fleet with recently and soon-to-be decommissioned vessels over the weekend following talks on the sidelines of the International Institute of Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore held Friday to Sunday.

Specifically the post states that the Philippine Coast Guard will be receiving a WMEC210, presumably one of those already decommissioned or in commission special at the Coast Guard Yard.

The Philippine Coast Guard has been growing rapidly. It is actually larger than the Philippine Navy in terms of personnel and much the equipment is relatively new with more on the way..

• “Philippine Coast Guard to Receive 40 Patrol Boats from France in $438 Million ODA Project” –USNI
• Philippines’ New 94 Meter Cutter and the Japanese Kunigami Class Cutters
• Japan to Build Five Large Cutters for Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippine CG is now about 70% the size of the US Coast Guard. The Philippine EEZ is about 20% the size of that of the US, but they face constant challenges from China’s Coast Guard, maritime militia, and fishing fleet. They still have relatively few large cutters. I am sure one or more WMEC210s would be welcome, and because they relatively simple ships, they should be relatively easy to maintain in spite of their advanced age.

A final note, the Philippine Coast Guard is procuring 30 mm guns in remote weapons stations to arm their soon to be seven 97 meter Japanese built cutters.