Philippines says China to blame for 'choppy' bilateral ties rappler.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rappler.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tokyo is a major provider of overseas development assistance to the Philippines. The Philippine Coast Guard currently operates two 97-meter patrol vessels as part of a fleet deemed insufficient for patrolling the waters of the vast archipelago nation.
Japan has agreed to provide the Philippines with a 64.3 billion yen low-interest loan for the acquisition of five additional Japanese patrol vessels, the two sides announced, in a bid to help it cope with China's aggressive activities in the South China Sea.