Actress Julia Barretto has joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary K9 Squadron on Wednesday, Sept. 1, officially making her and her boyfriend Gerald Anderson as a star Coast Guard couple.
Barretto took her oath at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila in a ceremony presided by PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr. on Wednesday.
The actress is now an auxiliary officer of the Coast Guard with a rank of Auxiliary Ensign.
Other members who also took their oath were Ando Cruise Catipay, Jalil Laidan, and Harold Jocel Talan.
During the ceremony, Ursabia expressed his gratitude to the new members of the PCG Auxiliary, who were committed to support the Coast Guard in conducting humanitarian missions and disaster response operations.
Ursabia underscored the increasing need for K9 units in the country for the promotion of national security.
Barretto’s boyfriend actor Gerald Anderson was also present to show some support during the ceremony.
Anderson is also an auxiliary officer of the PCG with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He joined the Coast Guard in December 2016 as part of the agency’s K9 Special Support Squadron.
The actress thanked the Coast Guard for welcoming her in the field of public service.
In return, Barretto pledged to “actively support” the initiatives of the unit in delivering service to the Filipino community.
Before being an official member, the actress was already seen supporting the Coast Guard initiatives with his boyfriend Anderson.
The Coast Guard said members of the PCG Auxiliary are committed to serve the PCG by offering their time, efforts, and resources “without expecting anything in return.”
READ MORE: On his birthday, lovestruck Gerald Anderson shares love with 300 Aeta families in Zambales