Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7) — The Philippine Coast Guard said its newest and biggest ship has arrived in the country from France, and it will be used in the country’s fight against the coronavirus disease.
BRP Gabriela Silang is now docked in Manila Bay after reaching the country’s waters Tuesday morning. It was supposed to arrive in December last year, but while enroute to Manila, it was diverted to the Middle East in January for the possible evacuation of Filipinos in case tensions escalate there.
Its next mission is to transport personal protective equipment and other supplies amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
“Sa kasagsagan ng banta ng COVID-19, gagamitin ang barkong ito sa pagbibiyahe ng mga medical supplies, PPE, gamot, pati na rin mga frontliners tulad ng mga medical workers sa mga regional hospitals sa buong bansa,” the Philippine Coast Guard announced on Twitter.
[Translation: Amid the threat of COVID-19, this ship will be used to transport medical supplies, PPE, medicine, as well as frontliners like medical workers to regional hospitals across the country.]
BRP Gabriela Silang, manufactured by French shipbuilder OCEA, was launched in France in July last year. Dubbed as the “newest, biggest, and most modern” ship of the Philippine Coast Guard, it was expected to patrol the country’s waters, including the West Philippine Sea that is also being claimed by China.
Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine until April 30 to contain the spread of COVID-19. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 3,660 with 163 deaths and 73 recoveries.
The viral disease has spread to all the regions in the country after previously being confined to Metro Manila and Luzon.
Sa kasagsagan ng banta ng COVID-19, gagamitin ang barkong ito sa pagbibiyahe ng mga medical supplies, PPE, gamot, pati na rin mga frontliners tulad ng mga medical workers sa mga regional hospitals sa buong bansa. #DOTrPH🇵🇭#CoastGuardPH#MaritimeSectorWorks pic.twitter.com/Gfjxk2pIM1
— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) April 7, 2020
CNN Philippines’ David Santos contributed to this report.
