Philippine Navy to Get Ship, Boats from South Korea

Landing Craft Utility of the South Korean Navy (photo : KDN)

MANILA -- South Korea is giving the Philippine Navy a transport ship, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Monday.

Seoul will also send 16 rubber boats and computers.

Gazmin went to Seoul Thursday to meet with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Kwan-jin.

"They gave an LCU (Landing Craft Utility), rubber boats, and computers," said Gazmin, who returned to Manila last Saturday.

He did not immediately say when the equipment will arrive in the Philippines.

Gazmin also discussed humanitarian assistance and disaster response with Kim.

He also expressed his gratitude for the role of South Korean troops in the ongoing rehabilitation of typhoon-hit Eastern Visayas.

At least 500 South Korean troops arrived in Leyte last December to help in the construction of structures, including school buildings.

They are due to return to South Korea by December this year.

The transport ship will boost the capability of the Navy, Gazmin said. It can be used in the transport of troops for operations, and relief goods intended for calamity victims.

Last March, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista signed a P18.9-billion contract with Korean Aerospace Industries for the supply of 12 FA-50 fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force.

Two of the jets are due to be delivered to the Air Force next year. The FA-50s are expected to enhance the capability of the Air Force.

(ABS-CBN News)