Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have participated in the United States-led maritime exercises which was attended by maritime forces from 21 countries in Singapore.
The maritime exercises, dubbed as Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) started virtually on August 10.
SEACAT is a multilateral exercise aimed to enhance cooperation among Southeast Asian countries and provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain using standardized tactics, techniques, and procedures.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Aug. 18, the PCG said its personnel attended virtually the maritime domain awareness symposium on Aug. 10 to 13.
Meanwhile, personnel of the BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), PCG Islander 684, and Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF) have joined in a maritime activity conducted at the vicinity waters off Bataan on Saturday, Aug. 14.
The Coast Guard, however, said this year’s field training exercises were contactless boarding due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
It added that the command post exercise was also conducted simultaneously, which the participating countries utilized their liaison officers assigned at the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) Singapore as focal persons for all necessary coordination.
To conclude the SEACAT Exercise 2021, personnel of the BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) conducted sea phase activity off Patoyo Island, Palawan on Monday, Aug. 16.
Aside from the United States and the Philippines, also joined in the largest iteration are Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
According to a statement provided by the United States Pacific Fleet, SEACAT scenarios are designed to encourage countries to use maritime forces to enhance understanding of the operational environment, build capacity for humanitarian support missions, and uphold international laws and norms.
READ MORE: PH joins 20 other countries in US-led SEACAT maritime exercise in Singapore