PH Coast Guard wraps up defense training with Japan, US

Japan and US coast guards have teamed up to train their Philippine counterparts to strengthen Manila’s capabilities to defend and patrol the country’s vast waters, including the West Philippine Sea. The two-week training, which wrapped up on Saturday, is the second of such kind since June. The Philippines is the first recipient of this combined effort of Japan and the United States to expand cooperation of their respective coast guards through the Solid Alliance for Peace and Prosperity with Humanity and Integrity on the Rule of law based Engagement framework signed in May. The Japan Coast Guard led the drills on towing, on board launching and arresting techniques, while the US Coast Guard provided training on boarding officer and damage control. The training involved 100 coast guard personnel from the Philippines.

—Frances Mangosing