Hanoi (VNA) – Japan will build four coast radar stations onislands in the Sulu Celebes Seas separating the Philippines and Indonesia tohelp Manila counter a surge in piracy by Islamic insurgents.
Japan and the Philippines reached an agreement on funding the facilities andproviding training for local coast guard personnel.
Japan will finance construction of the radar stations through its OverseasDevelopment Aid (ODA) budget.
The radar stations are part of the wider aid package that include helicopterparts for the Philippine military, funding infrastructure projects such as raillines and help rebuild conflict-torn southern Marawi city after five months ofmilitary operations against Islamic State rebels.
Infrastructure construction support for the Philippines aims to deepen economicand security ties with the Southeast Asian nation.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will travel to the Philippines on November13 after attending the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week in Vietnam.-VNA