by Teofilo Garcia, Jr./PNA
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will conduct a “response capability exercise” to test and showcase its readiness to respond to any crisis situation.
Commodore Joseph Coyme, Coast Guard District South Western Mindanao (CGDSWM) commander, said the exercise is one of the activities lined up to mark the 51st founding anniversary on April 5 of the CGDSWM.
Coyme said the exercise will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday which will simulate a rescue operation on a passenger vessel commandeered by terrorists.
He said the exercise will involve the deployment of PCG’s newest vessels, communication equipment, and personnel who have undergone specialized training.
One of the newest vessels of the PCG assigned to the CGDSWM is French-made BRP-Malamawi, a 24-meter fast patrol boat, which arrived on Friday, March 29.
“It (the exercise) will showcase the response capability of the CGDSWM to enforce all applicable maritime laws within the jurisdiction of the Philippines,” he said.
The 51st founding anniversary celebration of the CGDSWM is anchored on the theme “strengthening maritime security efforts and intensifying law enforcement operations.”
Coyme said this year’s theme highlights the CGDSWM’s program on suppressing and preventing maritime threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, human trafficking, smuggling, among others.
He said that Admiral Elson Hermogino, the PCG commandant, will be the guest and keynote speaker of the anniversary ceremony on Friday (April 5).
The highlight of the ceremony is the recognition of outstanding Coast Guard stations, personnel, government, non-government organization, and maritime stakeholders, who immensely contributed to the overall accomplishments of the CGDSWM for 2018-2019.
