MANILA (PNA) - Procurement of more fast craft would bolster the Philippine Navy's response in addressing the country's internal security problems such as piracy, terrorism and kidnapping.
"Acquisition of (more) fast craft will be of great help to our organization since it will provide additional defense and interdiction capability to thwart piracy, terrorism, kidnapping and other dubious activities of lawless elements in the country," Navy public affairs office head Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo said.
Last June, several Indonesian sailors were kidnapped by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group in the Sulu Sea, the third in a string of abductions in the waters between the Indonesia and the Philippines this year.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vowed to fast-track the procurement of more fast craft for the Navy and attack helicopters for the Air Force to help in the government's internal security operations.
A fast craft is a small, fast, agile and offensive warship armed with anti-ship missiles, gun and/or torpedoes.
It is usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water.
(PNA)
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