By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
The Australian government donated P34 million worth of drones and operator training to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to boost strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities and assist in other operations.
In a handover ceremony at Mariveles, Bataan on Tuesday (April 7), 20 aerial drones were turned over by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu to PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan.
“This support further boosts our ability to pursue more precisely, appropriately, and sustainably our complex rights and obligations from being both a maritime and archipelagic country. This also greatly assists the PCG to further advance its fundamental role as a responsible protector of rules to help keep the peace and prosperity for our own people and all law-abiding users of our seas to enjoy,” Gavan said in a news release.
In addition, drone specialists from Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Office of the Chief Remote Pilot will provide four days of training for 30 members of the PCG Aviation Command Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Squadron.
The donation was given as part of Australia’s civil maritime cooperation, which includes vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection and annual Law of the Sea courses.
Yu said the gift is a tangible example of increased maritime cooperation with the Philippines through the provision of support for PCG’s modernization.
“Australia is proud of our long-standing cooperation with the PCG, and our efforts to provide practical support for their crucial work,” she said.
“This is another example of how we are putting our Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership into action.”
Last year, Yu announced that Australia would double its civil maritime cooperation with the Philippines to P649 million from 2025 to 2029.
The Philippines and Australia have also signed a memorandum of understanding on enhanced maritime cooperation that aims to enhance closer collaboration in promoting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region and respect for international law. (PNA)
