PH, Indonesia, Japan coast guards kick off marine pollution exercise

The coast guard organizations of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan launched on Monday, June 24, the four-day Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2024 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental to enhance their cooperation in protecting the seas and their maritime borders in times of emergency.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said the maritime exercise presents an opportunity for the PCG, Indonesia’s Directorate General for Sea Transportation (DGST), and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) to share knowledge and latest techniques in maritime safety and marine environmental protection.
“Participating Coast Guards will conduct joint maritime exercises on search and rescue (SAR), firefighting, oil spill and equipment recovery operations, as well as damage assessment,” he said.
The PCG contingent was led by Captain Weneil Azcuna, commander of Coast Guard District Western Visayas, and Captain Lawrence Roque, commanding officer of BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301).
Meanwhile, the contingent DGST was headed by Captain Satria Aji Yudha, commanding officer of Indonesian patrol vessel KN TRISULA P111; while the JCG was represented by Captain Mori Naoki, commanding officer of patrol vessel PLH 02 TSUGARU.
Prior to the conduct of the drills, the commanding officers and members of the oil spill response teams from the three coast guards will determine the position of participating vessels and other assets to ensure safe speed and distance through a comprehensive tabletop exercise.
The MARPOLEX is a biennial event which is being conducted in reference to the implementation of the 1981 Sulawesi Sea Oil Spill Response Network Plan Agreement, and to maintain a strong fraternal agreement between the PCG and DGST which promotes multilateral cooperation and collaborative efforts towards addressing major spillage in the Asian region.
Meanwhile, the JCG supports the initiative that enhances the Philippines and Indonesia’s operational readiness and capability for oil spill incidents.
The Regional MARPOLEX 2024 is the 23rd conduct of the said maritime exercise since its establishment in 1986.