Navy personnel end training on how to handle Chinese patrol boats

July 30, 2018

Philippine Navy personnel completed their training to operate four patrol boats donated by China.

"The equipment provided are being assessed as to how this can be integrated within the organization and supported in the long term in terms of logistics,” Commander Jonathan Zata, Philippine Navy spokesman, told reporters on Sunday.

“We have assigned personnel to ( be) trained on its operation and maintenance,” he added.

Arsenio Andolong, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman, said the training for the Philippine Navy personnel began last Monday, July 23. .

Zata said around 25 Philippine Navy personnel were trained to operate and maintain the patrol boats with a length of around 40 feet.

He said the Philippine Navy thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters accepted the four units of patrol boats with 30 units of rocket propelled 40mm grenade launcher with corresponding ammunition from China this month.

Andolong said the donations from China arrived last March but were formally accepted by the Philippine Navy in the third week of July.

He said the donations are part of the $14 million grant of  China to the Philippines which was just signed on 2017. The grant also includes sniper rifles, automatic rifles and others. Robina Asido/DMS