From June 14 to 17, the U.S. Civil Military Support Element-Philippines (CMSE-PHL), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) conducted combined medical training in El Nido, Palawan.
The PCG ship BRP-Cabra (multi-role response vessel-4409), Coast Guard District Palawan (CGDPAL) personnel, and DA-BFAR patrol vessels MCS 3002 and MCS 3004 participated in the training.
“It’s always a privilege to be able to learn from our Philippine partners and share our knowledge during these combined training events,” said U.S. Army Captain Corey Young, CMSE-PHL.
“The Philippine Coast Guard’s mission to protect lives during operations at sea is incredibly complex, and they perform it well. We’re happy to be able to support enhancing our partners’ emergency medical capabilities,” he added.
Building upon previous tactical combat casualty care training events with CGDPAL, 20 crewmembers learned methods to immediately recognize and address injuries encountered during maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and maritime security operations.
Crew members were taught how to conduct detailed trauma patient assessments, control bleeding, treat breathing issues, perform advanced field medical procedures, and triage patients.
The combined training increased the crews’ capabilities to better protect the lives of Filipino citizens and their fellow crew members during emergencies. In the past seven months, CMSE-PHL has trained over 75 personnel across CGDPAL and the Palawan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
PCG District Palawan commander Commodore Genito Basilio expressed his and the District Staff for Education’s gratitude for the U.S. military training, saying, “It will not only help fulfill the mandates of the PCG, but will increase its competency, since we know we can depend on each other’s capabilities.”
The partnership between CMSE-PHL and CGDPAL exemplifies the close relationship between American and Philippine friends, partners, and allies. The combined training strengthens emergency response efforts, maritime law enforcement, and promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific. (PCG) – jlo
