PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan delivers his speech during the opening of the 15th Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre (ISC) Nautical Forum for 2024 in Singapore on Jan. 9, 2024. (photo: PCG)
Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) met with over 200 representatives from various parts of Southeast Asia and discussed measures to address piracy and armed robbery on ships in the region.
During the 15th Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre (ISC) Nautical Forum for 2024, Gavan tackled issues that affects ship routes in the Philippine waters.
He discussed efforts of concerned littoral states to ensure maritime security against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, as well as the sustainability of the current improving situation in the Sulu-Celebes seas.
“This activity fostered cooperation and coordination among maritime nations and organizations to ensure the safety and security of seafarers and ships operating in the Asian waters,” the PCG statement read.
Gavan is the current chairperson of the ReCAAP ISC Governing Council.
Held on Tuesday, Jan. 9, in Singapore, the forum was attended by over 200 heads of foreign missions, regional maritime law enforcement agencies, shipping industries, academes, and other maritime stakeholders.
All of them shared best practices, discuss emerging threats, and collaborate on initiatives to enhance regional maritime security.
During the forum, several measures were also proposed and discussed to enhance maritime security by suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.