The US, Japan and Malaysia recently held a joint two-week maritime course to help Philippine troops enhance their law enforcement capabilities at sea.
Through a funding from the US State Department, Washington partnered with experts from Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur as well as from Manila to strengthen maritime capability of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG).
According to the US Embassy in Manila, 23 PCG personnel participated in the classes and practical exercises aboard vessels "to hone their proficiency in communicating with vessel crews, managing unpredictable situations, and administering search and interview procedures."
It was the US Coast Guard (USCG) that led the training entitled Vessel Boarding Officer Course, which ran from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, the embassy said.
The training served "as a cornerstone of effective maritime law enforcement operations by preparing personnel to safely conduct vessel boardings at sea," it added.
"The professionalism displayed by PCG and PNP-MG trainees is a testament to their commitment in promoting maritime governance," USCG Team Lead Lieutenant Dana Schmitt said.
"The collaboration among American, Philippine, Japanese, and Malaysian instructors exemplified our evolving regional cooperation," it added.
In May, the USCG's Southeast Asia Training Team (SEATT) also conducted a similar training event, which was held for Palawan-based PCG and PNP-MG personnel.
The training was joined by Japan Coast Guard instructors and trainees from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The SEATT program will continue to expand multinational training opportunities for Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies in 2024, the embassy said.