By Gabriela Baron
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) conducted a joint search and rescue exercise in the vicinity of Mariveles, Bataan from Sept. 2 to 3.
PCG said the two-day at-sea drills also involved communication exercises, maneauvering drills, photo exercises, decoding messages through flag hoisting, flashing exercises, publication exercises, small boat operations, boarding operations, and medical assistance.
On the second day, PCG said its 83-meter offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) responded to a distress call from a simulated cargo vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702).
Meanwhile, USCGC Cutter Midgett, which was transiting in the vicinity, was requested to assist.
USCG Midget arrived in the country on Aug. 30, the fourth USCG vessel to visit the country after the USCGC Waesche in 2012, USCGC Bertholf in 2019, and USCGC Munro in 2021.
The BRP Gabriela Silang also deployed its rigid-hulled inflatable boat to rescue the remaining survivors out of the water and turn them over for medical assessment.
While underway, participating PCG vessels also performed their regular anti-piracy exercise.
PCG said two teams of its Law Enforcement Afloat Detachment executed evidence preservation, investigation, and case build-up to catch offenders.
PCG Commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu said “piracy is a high sea and universal crime where cooperation among Coast Guard counterparts is crucial to achieving success.”
