PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua sails to Indonesia for first-ever mission
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed on Monday, May 16, its newly acquired multi-role response vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), for its first-ever mission – a marine pollution exercise in Indonesia.

Admiral Artemio Abu, PCG Commandant, said the BRP Teresa Magbanua will participate in the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022 which will be jointly conducted by the PCG, Directorate of Sea Transportation (DGST) of the Republic of Indonesia, and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) in the vicinity waters off Makassar, Indonesia from May 22 to 29.
The exercise seeks to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the Sulawesi Sea Oil Spill Response Network Plan and the current procedures of the Oil Spill Recovery and Response Capability of the Philippines and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Japanese coast guardians will join the drills to guide their counterparts’ improvement.
“They will also enhance cooperation and capability in firefighting, rescue, and oil spill recovery operations through planning, command and control, and the conduct of integrated operations,” Abu explained.
“Oil spill companies of the concerned countries will also be encouraged to combat, control, and recover oil spillage to accomplish the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response,” he added.
The MARPOLEX will be BRP Teresa Magbanua’s baptism of fire since she was commissioned into service last May 6.
Aside from BRP Teresa Magbanua, three other PCG vessels were also fielded to join the drills namely offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403), and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411).
MARPOLEX is a biennial event which is jointly conducted by the PCG and Indonesia’s DGST.
The Philippines hosted the maritime exercise in Davao City in July 2019.