By Alec Go
The first trilateral maritime exercise between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States has begun as the ships of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) arrived in the Philippines on Thursday, June 1.
Akitsushima and USCGC Stratton are docked at the Port Area in Manila for maritime activities with the Philippine Coast Guard in Mariveles, Bataan until June 7.
The first-ever trilateral exercise was formally opened by BRP Melchora Aquino Captain Antonio Sontillanosa, Akitsushima Captain Toru Imai, and Stratton Captain Brian Krautler.
The PCG earlier said communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue, and passing exercises that “would strengthen interoperability” will be conducted.
Women from the three coast guards will hold exchanges tackling maritime law enforcement.
“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. previously said. – gb
READ MORE: PH, Japan, U.S. coast guards to hold first trilateral maritime exercise in Bataan
