New Patrol Boats Christened And Entered Into Service in Panama
The four model PC 200 patrol boats - which according to the government have a value of $80 million dollars - donated to Panama by the government of Italy, were christened yesterday. Interestingly, none of the honorees attended. The ships were christened with the names of the four former presidents, Guillermo Endara, Ernesto Pérez Balladares, Mireya Moscoso and Martín Torrijos, The refurbished patrol boats were presented and delivered yesterday to the National Air System (Senan). Guillermo Endara was represented at the ceremony by his widow, Ana Mae Diaz Endara, widow, who described as "great" the homage paid to the former president. Former president Mireya Moscoso sent a person on her behalf, while Perez Balladares and Torrijos did not attend. President Ricardo Martinelli said "these boats will help fight drug trafficking and money laundering that other governments have allowed to abound until today."
Ready For Action - The newly arrived patrol boats will be deployed along the Pacific coast between the province of Darien and Colombia, but also in neighboring points with neighboring Costa Rica. It is expected that by January 2013 two more, larger patrol boats will be arriving from Italy. (Mi Diario)
