Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) have strengthened their radio communications capability training during their maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The PCG said the radio communications training honed the skills of the male and female crew members of the BRP Cabra in communicating with Filipino and foreign vessels, while “upholding peace and maritime safety” in the tension filled-areas from June 27 to July 1.
The personnel were put to the test soon after five Chinese and two Vietnamese ships were spotted off Marie Louise Bank, which is within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) last June 30.
The Marie Louise Bank is located approximately 147 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan.
“In order to promote safety of navigation and a peaceful, rules-based order at sea, radio communication messages were broadcast to five Chinese and two Vietnamese fishing vessels anchored within the vicinity waters of Marie Louise Bank during its routine exercise in Kalayaan Island Group (KIG),” the PCG said in a statement on Monday, July 5.
The PCG personnel received no response but the foreign vessels immediately dispersed and left the area after conducting radio communications.
The BRP Cabra is one of the participating vessels under the PCG’s Task Force Pagsasanay. The country’s capital ships were deployed on a rotational basis to conduct capability enhancement training and patrol in the WPS.
“The PCG in Palawan continues to conduct various training to strengthen its maritime law enforcement, safety, and security functions through the conduct of joint patrols, maritime domain and situational awareness, as well as to protect the productive fishing zone and rich biodiversity of the WPS,” the PCG said.
Last June 25, at least 81 female personnel graduated from the first-ever PCG’S radio operator course.
The Coast Guard said some of the newly female graduates will be assigned to aboard the PCG’s vessels conducting maritime training in the WPS.
READ MORE: ‘Angels of the sea’: PCG recognizes all-female class graduates of special radio operators course