PNP eyeing joint maritime patrols with Navy, Coast Guard

File photo shows local fishermen and a team from the Maritime Group of the Philippine National Police rescuing six passengers of an aircraft that crashed in the waters of Iba , Zambales last year. (Photo courtesy of PNP Maritime Group)

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) wants to join forces with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy in conducting maritime patrols to secure the country’s waters.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Monday said that they hope to forge better cooperation with the PCG and Navy to crack down on illicit activities in Philippine ports.

“That’s why we also invited iyong Coast Guard and Navy, because we wanted to have a memorandum of understanding na magsanib pwersa kami para sa pag-sesecure natin sa mga karagatan natin para sa mga nagdadatingan na mga kontrabando, kasama na riyan iyong mga human trafficking,” he told reporters at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

(That’s why we also invited the Coast Guard and Navy, because we wanted to have a memorandum of understanding to join forces in securing our waters after the entry of contraband items and human trafficking activities.)

Asked about the role of the PNP in securing the West Philippine Sea, Azurin said they are considering augmenting the deployed forces and equipment of the PCG and Navy “to maximize the presence” of law enforcement bodies in the disputed waters.

P1.239 billion-worth of PNP equipment

Earlier, the PNP presented its newly procured firearms, vehicles, communication transmitters and sea vessels worth at least P1.239 billion from the spending plan for its Capability Enhancement Program from 2020 to 2022.

PNP Director for Logistics Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay said the new PNP equipment “will further enhance and improve the operational functions and duties of PNP offices or units nationwide in consonance with the PNP’s peace and security framework M+K+K=K or the Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan Tungo sa Kaunlaran.”

Azurin said the sea assets would be stationed in Ilocos Norte and La Union for rescue operations during natural disasters, particularly storm surges.

Patrol vehicles will be deployed across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, while the motorcycle units will be distributed in the same regions and some parts of Visayas.  (MJ Soriano, INQUIRER.net intern)

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