The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) have agreed to strengthen their cooperation on maritime law enforcement and bilateral efforts to combat transnational organized crimes.
This was stressed by PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu as he welcomed INL acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lisa Johnson at the PCG National Headquarters in Port Area, Manila during a visit last Monday, Jan. 16.
“The officials discussed the INL and US Coast Guard’s partnership with the PCG through a coordinated schedule of interactions with Coast Guard leadership, functional commands, and ongoing bilateral projects,” the PCG said in a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Aside from visiting the PCG National Headquarters, Johnson also dropped by the PCG Fleet Education Training Development Doctrine Institute (FETDDI) in Balagtas, Bulacan which is a US-supported training facility, and went to the Coast Guard District Palawan where she toured a joint maritime law enforcement training center there.
“Through your assistance, you not only help our organization in its mission but you also gift every man and woman of the PCG with a great experience here in Balagtas, an experience similar to Yorktown,” Capt. Roderik Elioran, commander of the PCG FETDDI, told Johnson.
“This has a profound effect on them, and as they return to their respective unit assignments, whether onboard a ship or ashore, absolutely, they will bring new energy and enthusiasm and return the favor through their better performance at work,” he added.
While in Palawan, Johnson also met with officers of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and Staff (PCSDS) where they talked about the council’s role in the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.