Philippines Takes Delivery of Ex-US Warship 巡逻舰, 菲律宾海军

李武军

菲律宾总统阿基诺星期二说，菲律宾的最新军舰将会被部署在菲律宾石油勘探船报告与中国发生冲突的几个区域，以保护菲律宾。阿基诺星期二在与其他高级官员检阅格雷戈里奥.德尔.皮拉尔号巡逻舰时发表了上述讲话。雷戈里奥.德尔.皮拉尔号巡逻舰是一艘退役的美国海岸警卫队舰艇，五月份被菲律宾购买。这艘服役46年的巡逻舰将是菲律宾海军战力最强的舰艇，菲律宾海军大部分舰艇还是二战时期的舰艇。

阿基诺说，这艘巡逻舰的一个目的就是将被用来保卫菲律宾在南中国海菲律宾经济专属区内勘探工作。他说，这艘船代表了菲律宾已经准备好随时捍卫自己的利益。他还说，菲律宾政府的国防建设还在继续。其他在南中国海有主权争议的几个国家也都加强了各自的海军建设。中国在8月进行了改装航母的海上试航，而越南本星期得到俄制导弹舰艇。越南在今年3月购买了另一艘类似的俄制军舰。

Philippine President Benigno Aquino says the country's newest warship will be deployed to protect the nation in areas where oil exploration vessels have reported run-ins with China.Mr. Aquino spoke Tuesday as he and other top officials inspected the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter acquired by the Philippines navy in May. The 46-year-old ship will be the most capable vessel in a fleet made up of mostly World War II-era ships.

Mr. Aquino said the ship will be used, among other purposes, to guard exploration efforts in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. He said the ship represents the nation's readiness to defend its interests, and that his government's defense build-up will continue.Other countries with competing claims in the South China Sea are also strengthening their navies. China this month conducted sea trials of a refitted aircraft carrier, while Vietnam this week took ownership of a Russian-made guided missile warship. Vietnam acquired a similar Russian-made ship in March.