Manila, July 8 -- The decision regarding the acquisition of Japanese Abukuma-class destroyer escorts will depend on several factors, including whether the ships can fit in the country's current fleet, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday.

"I just talked to the Flag-Officer-In-Command (Navy Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta). There was an invitation to inspect. However, the decision process will have to depend on the fit that it will have with our present fleet and how we can integrate them, if ever. So I'll wait for the report," Teodoro told reporters when asked to comment on the possible transfer of the Japanese naval ships to the Philippine Navy (PN).

Possible expenditures on the Phili...