The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will remain relentless in its efforts to protect the country's stake in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) using the white hull diplomacy under the tutelage of Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.
Gavan made the assurance when he visited National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director General Ricardo de Leon on Friday, Oct. 20.
"During the visit, CG Admiral Gavan emphasized his dedication to ensuring the PCG's continuous efforts in the West Philippine Sea," the PCG said in a statement on Saturday, Oct. 21.
Gavan was accompanied by PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela and PCG Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Intelligence Captain Nelson Timbang.
Gavan was appointed as the 30th PCG commandant last Thursday, Oct. 19.
Gavan was known for putting the white hull diplomacy, or the use of a nation's coast guard, to greater heights to challenge China's aggression in WPS.
He introduced the PCG's very first "Angels of the Sea", a group of female coast guard officers who were deployed to WPS to act as radio operators and serve as the voice of the country against Chinese vessels.
In his assumption speech, Gavan said that he "will never issue any directive that would cause us to lose even a centimeter of our territory.”