The Bureau of Customs and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will join hands in manning 20 fast patrol boats to beef up the country’s anti-smuggling and border control operations at sea.
Through a memorandum of agreement, the Customs bureau tapped the Coast Guard to assist them in manning and operating the patrol boats, which are under procurement process.
Under the pact, the Coast Guard shall provide manpower for the 20 fast boats will be purchased by the Customs bureau as part of its border security enhancement efforts
The Coast Guard will share its technical expertise in operating and navigating the floating assets by providing training support to personnel tasked to man the patrol boats.
The Customs bureau, on the other hand, has the authority to deploy the fast patrol boats for law enforcement missions. In a situation of natural calamity or national emergency, the Coast Guard may utilize the fast patrol boats in conducting search and rescue operations and responding to maritime incidents.
Each fast boat shall be manned by nine crew members, composed of five Customs personnel and four Coast Guard non-officers, who will complete the small boat operation and management course (SBMOC).
While the Coast Guard assists the Customs bureau in maintaining the fast patrol boats, the latter shall be responsible in allocating funds for the daily preventive maintenance of equipment or machines onboard, procurement of spare parts and other consumables, as well as dry docking and other repair activities.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the organizations’ joint effort aims to “uphold security, peace, and order within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines” by preventing Customs fraud and smuggling incidents.
“I look forward to the successful implementation of this agreement. I am grateful to the Philippine Coast Guard for assisting us in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control, prevention of entry of smuggled goods, and other customs fraud that hinder the growth of our national economy,” Guerrero said.
“We are honored to further collaborate with the Bureau of Customs in deterring and preventing illegal activities in our country’s waters. Rest assured that we will pursue our commitment in keeping the Philippine maritime jurisdiction safe and secured,” Admiral George Ursabia, Jr., Coast Guard commandant, said.
The signing of the MOA was held on September 10 and shall be in force for a period of five years.