Through the generous donation from the Philippine non-profit foundation to the Philippine Coast Guard, the decommissioned patrol and rescue vessel “Kinmen Ship” from Taiwan Coast Guard Administration officially entered service in the southern part of the Philippines on the 2nd, with its primary mission being to maintain the safety of shipping routes and maritime environment around Mindanao Island.
“We Protect Our Seas” announced on Facebook on the evening of the 2nd that the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration decommissioned patrol and rescue vessel “Kinmen Ship” has begun its service as the new BRP Sarangani (BRP Sarangani) with the Philippine Coast Guard, bearing the number 6177.
The foundation donated the Kinmen Ship to the Philippine Coast Guard on September 21.
According to the post, the Kinmen Ship was built in 2008, measuring approximately 61 meters in length, 11.7 meters in width, and with a displacement of about 688 tons. After being refurbished and put into service as the Sarangani Ship, it can be utilized for maritime patrol, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, marine conservation, training, and other civilian missions.
The foundation stated that this donation reflects the progress in practical cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan in maritime security and search and rescue since the “Guang Da Xing Fishing Boat” incident in 2013. Both sides have been committed to preventing similar incidents from happening again and promoting maritime security and search and rescue cooperation.
Foundation Chairman Jeffrey Ordaniel, in a personal capacity interview with the Central News Agency, mentioned that the foundation began discussions with Taiwan regarding the transfer of the Kinmen Ship in December 2025. After several months of discreet discussions and coordination, they finally completed the transfer.
Ordaniel pointed out that one of the main challenges was how to handle the political sensitivity involved in the Philippines’ “One China Policy”. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that relevant government agencies understand the national interests involved and ensuring that the transfer fully complies with the current Philippine policy.
Another major challenge was the issue of funding. Ordaniel explained that the Kinmen Ship needed to undergo refurbishment and related preparations before the transfer, and the foundation had to find solutions to complete the transfer without imposing any costs on the Philippine government.
“This donation is significant as we have found a pragmatic way to advance national interests while respecting the current diplomatic policy of the Philippines and further promoting regional maritime security and protection,” said Ordaniel.
Ordaniel expressed special gratitude to Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council Chairperson Kuan Bi-ling, National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Zhaoxie, Deputy Secretaries Lee Wen, Zhao Yixiang, and Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines Zhou Minggan, among other “Taiwan friends”, as well as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), for facilitating the transfer of the Kinmen Ship.
In response to concerns from some Taiwanese citizens about the possibility of the Philippine side using the Kinmen Ship to harm Taiwanese fishermen, Ordaniel reassured that he believed this ship would help maintain regional maritime security.
“Based on my discussions with relevant authorities, the primary mission of the Sarangani Ship will be to safeguard the shipping routes and maritime environment around Mindanao Island,” stated Ordaniel.