The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remained true to its commitment to uphold the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid challenges posed by China, PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu said.
The PCG chief made the remark during the celebration of the 122nd founding anniversary of the organization on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila which was graced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“We have stood our ground in the face of adversity in the West Philippine Sea. We handled positively the provocations, bullying, and harassments of vessels on every re-supply mission to the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre anchored at Ayungin Shoal," Abu said in his speech.
“Our personnel have courageously dismantled the foreign floating barriers, which were illegally installed in the West Philippine Sea. We installed additional navigational buoys, which also serve as markers of Philippine territory," the PCG chief added.
PCG vessels have escorted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-chartered boats in bringing supplies to troops stationed onboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, WPS to ensure the success of the resupply missions amid attempts by Chinese vessels to block them.
PCG personnel have also removed a floating barrier installed by Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal), allowing Filipino fishermen to fish in the vicinity of the shoal. The PCG also put up navigational buoys in critical areas in WPS to serve as a guide for mariners and to mark the territories claimed by the Philippines.
Moreover, Abu said that unity and harmony have been the catalysts to the PCG's growth as a humanitarian armed service for the past 122 years. It’s workforce has now grown to 30,000.
PCG’s growth
From January to September this year, Abu said the PCG has responded to more than 500 maritime incidents, which he owed to the improved capabilities of the coast guardians.
“We owe our growth to the hardworking men and women of the PCG, the PCG Auxiliary, to our partners in the national and local governments, private sector, as well as civil society organizations, that incessantly provided support to the organization through the years. Among them, the Office of the President,” Abu noted.
Abu also recognized the sacrifice of four PCG rescuers who went missing in Cagayan River while underway to conduct search and rescue operations amid Super Typhoon Egay in July. They were Seaman First Class (SN1) Jaeben Jan Domingo, CG Apprentice Seaman (ASN) Lesther Renz Campo, CG ASN Rodel Garado, and CG ASN John Lloyd Rebamontan.
He then acknowledged the selfless effort of another PCG diver, CG Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Ponciano Nesperos, who lost his life while responding to a drowning incident in Lubao, La Union in September.
Oil spill
Meanwhile, he thanked the devoted men and women of the Coast Guard, as well as its partner countries, which extended assistance in addressing the Oriental Mindoro oil spill.
"All these were accomplished through our continuous efforts to improve our ranks. As our numbers improve, so does our competency through the conduct of continuous training, education, and capacity-building assistance from our foreign allies and friends," Abu noted.
The PCG chief committed to keeping the PCG as a symbol of hope and a source of national pride for Filipinos.
"Together, we can achieve great things. Let us all sail together as one. In unity, we create harmony, and in harmony, we deliver excellent, compassionate, and dedicated public service for our fellow Filipinos," Abu concluded.