Coast Guard collects at least 15 sacks of garbage in Pag-asa Island clean-up drive
As part of the second phase of maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has also pledged to protect the coastal areas in the tension-filled waters.
Personnel of the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) and BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), who are currently on the second leg of maritime drills that started last week, have conducted a coastal clean-up drive along the coast of Pag-asa Island on Saturday, May 22.



The clean-up was held in cooperation with the members of PCG Sub-Station Kalayaan and Coast Guard Public Affairs, in which they collected at least 15 sacks of garbage.
“Ang inisiyatibong ito ay bahagi ng ikalawang capability enhancement training ng PCG at BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) sa WPS na nagsimula noong ika-18 ng Mayo 2021 at tatagal hanggang ika-28 ng Mayo 2021 (This initiative is part of the second capability enhancement training of the PCG and BFAR in the WPS that began on May 18 until May 28),” the Coast Guard said in a statement on Monday, May 24.
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.