As the second phase of maritime drills started last week, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday, May 24, that it has furthered strengthened its exercises in the West Philippine Sea, which includes life support training.
In a statement, the PCG medical crew members of the BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) have conducted basic life support training on Thursday, May 20.
During the activity, PCG medical personnel demonstrated how to monitor the pulse and how to revive a person rescued from a drowning incident.
Led by Task Force Pagsasanay, the maritime exercises aim to “enhance the capability of PCG personnel in promoting maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection” in the country’s vast waters.
The first leg of the drills started in April with the activation of Task Force Pagsasanay, a unit formed by the PCG to train its personnel on navigation in restricted bodies of water.
The crew members of the BRP Sindangan have also distributed food packs for Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales.
Each food packs were composed of four kilos of rice, canned goods, and noodles.
“Kasabay nito, inalam din ang pang-araw-araw na sitwasyon ng mga mangingisda at hinikayat silang makipag-koordinasyon sa PCG kung kailangan nila ng karagdagang tulong sa gitna ng katubigan (At the same time, the PCG also assessed the daily situation of the fishermen and encouraged them to coordinate with the PCG if they need additional assistance in the middle of the sea),” the Coast Guard said.
The PCG said BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), and BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) are currently deployed in the WPS to conduct training on navigation and patrol operations.
Meanwhile, BFAR ships BRP Francisco Dagohoy (MMOV-5002), MCS-3001, MCS-3002, and MCS-3008 are also conducting sovereignty patrols in the tension-filled waters.
In March, the country protested the presence of around 220 Chinese vessels believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia at the Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the WPS.
Earlier this month, the PCG bared that it drove away Chinese vessels who were spotted near Sabina Shoal near Palawan in the WPS.