The engagements between the Philippines and the United States (US) will further improve their collaboration in maritime security, an official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said during the courtesy visit of Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Yohannes Abraham, at PCG’s headquarters in Manila on Friday, April 26.
Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr., PCG deputy commandant for operations, stated that the Philippines' connection with the US Coast Guard and the United States has grown beyond simply providing technical and operational training for PCG personnel.
“I am confident that these engagements will further improve and intensify our collaboration in Maritime Security, demonstrating our dedication to maintaining regional security,” he said.
Punzalan said that the Philippines and the US have profound historical and cultural ties, as well as a shared dedication to democracy and human rights.
Other officials present during the visit were PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration Vice Admiral Allan Victor Dela Vega; Chief of Coast Guard Staff Rear Admiral Hostillo Arturo Cornelio; and Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization Captain Eric Ferrancullo.
On April 22, the 39th iteration of the joint military exercise of the Philippines and US “Balikatan Exercise” kicked off.
The PCG had earlier announced that it will deploy six civilian ships that will participate in a group sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for the joint military exercise.
According to PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, this the first time that the PCG will join the Balikatan Exercise.
The Coast Guard Fleet was ordered to send four 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) and two larger patrol vessels for the Multilateral Maritime Exercise which will also be joined by counterparts from the AFP, US, Australia, and France.
Balilo said members of the Coast Guard Special Operations Force will participate in joint interoperability drills with the Philippine Navy (PN), as well as counterparts from Australia, France, and the US.