MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has received a patrol boat and an x-ray inspection machine from the Embassy of Japan.

A ceremony for the turnover of the 15-meter patrol boat and x-ray inspection machine was held at the PCG Headquarters on Monday at the Port Area in Manila.

PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Joel Garcia said the equipment will help further enhance the country’s maritime safety, security and law enforcement, as well as marine environmental protection and maritime search and rescue.

Garcia added the 15-meter patrol boat, which runs at 29 knots with up to 14-passenger capacity, is suitable for quick response operations and retrieval operations. It isalso capable to accosting alleged terrorists, intruders, and poachers within the Philippine territory.

The x-ray inspection machine, on the other hand, is a compact and battery-operated equipment suitable for inspection in high or narrow places. It is controlled using a remote with a distance of up to 20 meters and provides real-time inspection images.

According to Garcia, the donation is part of the Japanese government’s promise to President Rodrigo Duterte that they would help strengthen the country’s efforts against terrorism and piracy in its domain.

“Our strong cooperation with Japan aids our efforts in preventing terror attacks, specifically kidnap for ransom within Philippine waters which, not only enhances maritime security, but also increases the number of economic undertakings in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Masahiro Nakata of the embassy’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said that Japan is looking forward to boost its strategic relations with the Philippines on evolving challenges in the future, specifically in protecting its territorial waters and marine resources.

“Our commitment to the Philippines is far from over. Rest assured that we will further support the operations of the PCG by providing high-quality assets and by instilling the latest maritime know-hows to its technical personnel,” Nakata said.

MANILA, Philippines – Two suspects in the murder of Dumaguete radio broadcaster Dindo Generoso were arrested on Thursday, police said Friday.

A report from the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) identified the suspects as Teddy Reyes Salaw and Glenn Corsame.

Police investigators said Corsame, the alleged driver of the motorcycle that was used to ambush Generoso, is a retired policeman.

Authorities also confiscated from the suspects a .45 caliber pistol Norinco with eight rounds of live ammunition.

Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) chief Colonel Julian Entoma said they were able to track and identify the assailants with the help of CCTV footages that captured their pick-up and escape routes after the crime.

Generoso was attacked around 7:25 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Piapi while he was on his way to his morning radio program.

The 67-year old radio broadcaster died on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said they are looking into some angles as possible motives of the crime. These include his profession, politics, and family land dispute.

CEBU – The Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas (PCG-7) rescued more than 60 passengers and crew of a ferry boat that capsized off the coast of Sibonga, Cebu on Thursday.

The PCG said MV Siargao Princess was plying a route five miles south of Sibonga when it radioed for help around 11 a.m.

The agency said it immediately sent BRP Suluan to conduct a search and rescue operations in the area and found groups of people floating with life jackets at 1.6 nautical miles of Carcar point, Cebu.

The PCG said a total of 59 people were plucked from the water, while three crew members and one passenger swam to the shore after the boat encountered big waves that allegedly caused the ship “to dip to the front and eventually capsize.”

Initial investigation conducted on the vessel’s master, Captain Antonio Conag, revealed that the boat’s front hatch cover got detached when it was buffeted by fierce winds and sea swells.

Conag said big waves caused the vessel to pitch and take in water until it sunk.

The PCG said rescued passengers were brought to the Cebu port.

No fatalities have been reported in the incident.

Investigation on the sea mishap is underway.