PCG sets first ever trilateral drills with US, Japan counterparts in June
For the first time ever, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will hold a week-long joint trilateral maritime exercise with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) off Bataan next month.
“We will have a boarding exercise and arresting exercise. The Philippine Coast Guard law enforcement personnel will board the target vessel and there will be a scenario where the victims would jump into the sea. The three participating Coast Guard agencies would launch search and rescue operations,” Rear Adm. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, explained. The training will involve the PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and a 44-meter multi-role response vessel. Meanwhile, the US will deploy its Legend-class cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) while Japan will utilize its patrol vessel Akitsushima (PLH-32). There would be around 200 PCG personnel that will participate in the training while the USCG and JCG have yet to finalize the number of troops that will join. The participants from US and Japan will arrive in Manila on June 1. The participants will also conduct communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, and passing exercises to enhance their interoperability. Aside from the maritime drills, the PCG, USCG, and JCG will also hold a sporting event “to strengthen the three Coast Guards' camaraderie,” as well as a special interest exchange for women in maritime law enforcement, and an expert exchange for PCG personnel's professional development.
*(Courtesy of PCG)
* The exercise will take place from June 1 to 7 in the vicinity waters of Mariveles town. It seeks to improve the three countries’ maritime cooperation and understanding, according to Vice Adm. Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr., PCG officer-in-charge. “The US Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard have been assisting us in our human resource development program, particularly in law enforcement training. This is a good opportunity to thank and show them what our personnel learned from their programs," Punzalan said. During the drills, the participants will demonstrate their capabilities in coordinating an operation to neutralize a vessel carrying weapons of mass destruction or suspectedly involved in piracy, and rescue the victims. The troops will train on communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises.“We will have a boarding exercise and arresting exercise. The Philippine Coast Guard law enforcement personnel will board the target vessel and there will be a scenario where the victims would jump into the sea. The three participating Coast Guard agencies would launch search and rescue operations,” Rear Adm. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, explained. The training will involve the PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and a 44-meter multi-role response vessel. Meanwhile, the US will deploy its Legend-class cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) while Japan will utilize its patrol vessel Akitsushima (PLH-32). There would be around 200 PCG personnel that will participate in the training while the USCG and JCG have yet to finalize the number of troops that will join. The participants from US and Japan will arrive in Manila on June 1. The participants will also conduct communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, and passing exercises to enhance their interoperability. Aside from the maritime drills, the PCG, USCG, and JCG will also hold a sporting event “to strengthen the three Coast Guards' camaraderie,” as well as a special interest exchange for women in maritime law enforcement, and an expert exchange for PCG personnel's professional development.