By Alec Go
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) will conduct their first-ever trilateral maritime exercise off the Mariveles, Bataan waters from June 1 to 7, the PCG announced Monday, May 29.
The activities will focus on communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises that “would strengthen interoperability.”
“The US Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard 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 Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr. said.
He said the exercises will also “improve maritime cooperation and understanding.”
The PCG said the participants will demonstrate a scenario involving a suspected vessel involved in piracy that will be inspected followed by a SAR operation.
Sporting events will also be conducted, along with exchanges between women in maritime law enforcement and for experts to help in the PCG personnel’s professional development.
The BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel, USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752), and JCG Akitsushima (PLH-32) will be deployed.
The USCG and JCG contingents will arrive at Pier 15 South Harbor in Manila on June 1.
They are expected to be welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson, Embassy of Japan’s Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Kenichi Matsuda, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines Takema Sakamoto. – cf