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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Landmark PH-US-Japan maritime drill not meant to counter China's acts in WPS – PCG

Landmark PH-US-Japan maritime drill not meant to counter China's acts in WPS – PCG

Published Jun 2, 2023 09:13 am
The first ever trilateral maritime exercise between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) is not part of any effort to form alliances that would counter China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

*US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752) and Japan Coast Guard vessel Akitsushima (PLH-32) dock in Port Area, Manila on June 1, 2023 for its participation to the first ever Kaagapay trilateral exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard. (Photo by PCG)

* This was emphasized by Vice Adm. Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr., PCG officer in charge, as he clarified on Friday, June 2, that the “Kaagapay” 2023 exercise is meant to enhance the interoperability of the three nations’ coast guards in the field of maritime law enforcement and search and rescue (SAR) operations. “Itong pagsasanay na ito ay magpapalakas ng koneksyon ng tatlong bansa sa pagsasagawa ng mga maritime law enforcement activities and search and rescue (This exercise will boost the connection of the three countries in conducting maritime law enforcement activities and search and rescue,” Punzalan said in a public briefing. Asked if it is connected with efforts to negate China’s presence in the WPS, the PCG OIC gave a resounding, one-worded denial: “Hindi (No).” China has sustained its aggression in the tension-filled waters by maintaining a flotilla of maritime militia vessels, as well as navy and coast guard ships. They also installed floating buoys in select areas in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands) after [the PCG did the same thing days prior](https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/14/pcg-installs-5-new-floating-markers-in-wps). Although not directly related to the WPS tension, Kaagapay, which means side by side in English, is a landmark event because it would be the first time that the three coast guards are joining forces in a single maritime exercise, according to Punzalan.  There have been previous exercises between the PCG and USCG, and PCG and JCG although these were only bilateral drills, he shared. Kaagapay officially kicked off on June 1 with the arrival in Manila of JCG vessel Akitsushima (PLH-32) and a helicopter, and USCG Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752). The PCG, for its part, deployed BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), a PCG Islander aircraft, and a helicopter. Around 500 personnel from the three coast guards are participating in the maritime exercise off Mariveles, Bataan. It will conclude on June 7.  There are six prepared events in the said exercise namely communication exercise, maneuvering drill, photo exercise, maritime law enforcement demonstration, search and rescue, and passing exercise. “Ito po ay napakahala kasi malaki ang naitulong sa atin sa mga nakaraang taon ng Japan Coast Guard at United States Coast Guard sa pagdevelop ng ating mga tauhan lalo na sa law enforcement training (This is relly important for us because the Japan Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard have helped develop our personnel in law enforcement training in the previous years),” Punzalan said. “Ito ang tanging pagkakataon para mapasalamatan sila at maipakita kung ano ang mga natutunan ng ating mga tauhan sa PCG. Dito natin makikita ‘yung ating interoperability (This is our only way to thank them and showcase what our PCG troops learned from them. We will be able to demonstrate our interoperability),” he added.

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maritime exercise United States PCG Japan Coast Guard
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