Coast guard personnel in Samal, Davao del Norte rescue 72 passengers off a motorized launch that developed engine trouble while crossing the strait between Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) on May 8, 2023. (File picture contributed PCG BABAK SUB-STATION)
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to conduct its first trilateral maritime exercise with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) from June 1 to 7, 2023.
According to PCG, the trilateral maritime exercise will be held within the waters off Mariveles, Bataan.
PCG said the maritime exercise would “strengthen [the] inter-operability” of the three countries’ coast guards “through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises.”
During the exercise, coast guard personnel from three countries will demonstrate what to do when encountering a suspected vessel involved in piracy, and conduct a boarding inspection, followed by a SAR operation.
“The USCG and JCG have been assisting us in our human resource development program, particularly in law enforcement training. This is a good opportunity to thank and show them what our personnel learned from their programs,” PCG Coast Vice Admiral Rolando Punzalan Jr. said in a statement.
PCG will deploy for the training the ships BRP Melchora Aquino, BRP Gabriela Silang, BRP Boracay, and a 44-meter multi-role response vessel.
On the other hand, USCG will dispatch its cutter Stratton and JCG will send its warship Akitshushima.
Coast guard said several diplomatic officials have been invited to see the arrival of the US and Japan contingents at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila, on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
The event will be attended by US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson, Embassy of Japan’s Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Kenichi Matsuda, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines Takema Sakamoto.
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