The government is considering providing the Philippines with patrol
vessels and a sea-ground communications system as part of its official
development assistance, according to sources.
The move is apparently intended to secure the safety of the nation's
sea-lanes and help the Philippines boost its maritime security against
piracy and counter China, whose maritime activities in the South China
Sea have strained its bilateral relationship with the Philippines.
The Foreign Ministry plans to dispatch officials to the Philippines
in May to determine the type and number of patrol vessels to be sent to
the country, the sources said.
The government is considering using a yen loan to provide the
vessels and grant assistance for the communications system, they added.
As patrol vessels equipped with bulletproof windows are regarded as
arms, their export is usually banned under the three principles on arms
exports. However, the government offered such ships to Indonesia in 2006
as an exception to the principles.
The principles were eased in December with the introduction of
regulations allowing exports of defense equipment for humanitarian
purposes.
If the government decides to send the vessels to the Philippines, it will be the first case under these regulations.
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The Yomiuri Shimbun | April 4, 2012 | Article Link
