Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) safely returned to the country on Monday, Dec. 9, after completing a five-day port visit in Manado, Indonesia.
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, said the port visit reflects the commitment of the Philippines to advance maritime safety, security, and prosperity in the region through strategic cooperation.
“Behind this accomplishment lies the unwavering professionalism of the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard, whose tireless efforts have made this mission a resounding success. These personnel represent the core values of service, integrity, and honor, upholding the mission of the PCG both at home and on the international stage,” he said.
The PCG commandant emphasized that the fruitful exchange with the Indonesian counterparts has reinforced the maritime partnerships between Manila and Jakarta which underscores the collective pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable progress within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community.
To note, Gavan concurrently serves as the chairman of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum (ACF), a meeting of 10 ASEAN member-states where they discuss efforts to address illegal activities at sea such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy, and entrance of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
A welcome ceremony was held by the PCG for the crew of the BRP Gabriela Silang in Port Area, Manila.
Relatedly, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen boarded the offshore patrol vessel as part of his official visit to the country.
Captain Lawrence Roque, commanding officer of the ship, extended his gratitude to Coast Guard senior officers for their leadership and trust, and to his crew for their dedication and camaraderie during the mission.
The BRP Gabriela Silang visited Port of Bitung in Manado last week as a sign of “deepening friendship” between the coast guard forces of the two countries.
In 2014, the Philippines and Indonesia signed a boundary delimitation agreement and the coordinated patrol conducted was the first activity between the two country’s coast guards after the signing of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act or Republic Act 12064 by President Marcos Jr. recently.
The PCG said it plans to hold similar engagements with Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia to emphasize the importance of continued collaboration and people-to-people exchange to address shared maritime concerns effectively.