Manila:A patrol vessel donated by Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has been commissioned into the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). This transfer was facilitated by the Manila-based We Protect Our Seas (WPS) Foundation.
According to Focus Taiwan, the CGA confirmed that a retired 500-tonne-class patrol vessel, formerly known as the Kinmen patrol vessel (CG123), was donated to the Philippines. The vessel has now been renamed BRP Sarangani and officially joined the PCG's fleet.
The vessel measures approximately 61 meters in length and 11.7 meters in width, with a full-load displacement of around 688 metric tons. It is expected to enhance the PCG's capabilities in maritime patrols, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, marine environmental protection, training, and other civilian missions.
The donation signifies improved maritime cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan, following a 2013 incident involving the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the PCG. Both countries have since worked to build cooperative efforts in maritime safety and search and rescue operations.
Jeffrey Ordaniel, president and CEO of the WPS Foundation, stated that discussions about the donation began in December 2025. He noted that political sensitivities regarding the Philippines' One China policy were navigated without violation, and funding issues for the ship's refurbishment were resolved, ensuring no cost to the Philippine government.
The BRP Sarangani is set to be deployed in Mindanao to secure shipping routes and the maritime environment. Ordaniel expressed gratitude to several Taiwanese officials for their roles in the transfer, highlighting the strengthened friendship and shared values between the two nations.