Navy gets 9 boats from US

The navy received seven brand new utility boats and two Boston Whalers donated by the US government, to be distributed to its operational units to boost capabilities in guarding the countrys waters from various security threats.

US envoy to the Philippines Kristie Kenney turned over the utility boats to navy chief Vice Adm. Rogelio Calunsag in a ceremony at Fort Abad along Roxas Blvd. in Manila Dec. 4. The boats were donated by the US government as part of the Presidential Drawdown Authority program to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines Capability Upgrade Program. Calunsag said Col. Mathias Velasco, chief of the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), spearheaded the acquisition of the watercraft.