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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG, US Coast Guard lead regional push to tighten maritime security amid shared threats

PCG, US Coast Guard lead regional push to tighten maritime security amid shared threats

Published Nov 18, 2025 03:16 pm
(L-R) Colonel Asep Budiman, head of the Command and Control Center of the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA); First Admiral Maritime Datuk Che Engku Suhaimi bin Che Engku Daik, deputy director of the Maritime Security Surveillance Division of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA); Rear Adm. Allen J. Dalangin, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command; PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan; United States Coast Guard Pacific Area Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Novak; Rear Adm. Bandit Chuenim, deputy chief of staff of the Office of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC); and Sr. Col. Tran Xuan Luong, deputy commander of Coast Guard Region 2 under the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) link arms during the Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI) Commander’s Forum held in Makati City on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo: John Louie Abrina | MANILA BULLETIN)
(L-R) Colonel Asep Budiman, head of the Command and Control Center of the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA); First Admiral Maritime Datuk Che Engku Suhaimi bin Che Engku Daik, deputy director of the Maritime Security Surveillance Division of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA); Rear Adm. Allen J. Dalangin, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command; PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan; United States Coast Guard Pacific Area Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Novak; Rear Adm. Bandit Chuenim, deputy chief of staff of the Office of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC); and Sr. Col. Tran Xuan Luong, deputy commander of Coast Guard Region 2 under the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) link arms during the Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI) Commander’s Forum held in Makati City on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo: John Louie Abrina | MANILA BULLETIN)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) on Tuesday, Nov. 18, brought together senior maritime officials from four other nations for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening coordination against cross-border maritime threats.
PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan and USCG Pacific Area Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Novak spearheaded the Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI) Commanders’ Forum in Makati City.
It was attended by Colonel Asep Budiman, head of the Command and Control Center of the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA); First Admiral Maritime Datuk Che Engku Suhaimi bin Che Engku Daik, deputy director of the Maritime Security Surveillance Division of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA); Rear Adm. Bandit Chuenim, deputy chief of staff of the Office of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC); and Sr. Col. Tran Xuan Luong, deputy commander of Coast Guard Region 2 under the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG).
Rear Adm. Allen Dalangin, commander of PCG Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command, was also present during the event.
Funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the annual SEAMLEI Commanders’ Forum reinforces multilateral cooperation across Southeast Asia to advance regional stability and uphold a rules-based order at sea.
This year’s meeting took on added importance as member-states worked to improve maritime domain awareness (MDA) and standardize regional protocols to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, disrupt drug trafficking networks, and enhance search and rescue (SAR) interoperability.
In his speech, Gavan stressed that security challenges at sea demand collective action.
“Maritime security is not achieved in isolation—it requires seamless communication, genuine collaboration, and coordinated response among nations who share both waters and responsibility. When we coordinate as one maritime community, we amplify our capabilities and strengthen our resolve against common threats,” he said.
On the other hand, Novak emphasized the strength of enduring partnerships in the region as he stressed that the USCG stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its SEAMLEI partners “to ensure a free, open, and secure maritime domain through coordinated action.”
“The strength of maritime security in Southeast Asia lies in our ability to operate as a unified force—sharing information, coordinating operations, and collaborating across borders,” he emphasized.
The forum also moved forward proposals developed during recent technical workshops in Bagac, Bataan where experts drafted plans to enhance joint training, improve equipment interoperability, and standardize communication systems. Commanders were set to review and adopt the recommendations during the session.

Related Tags

Philippine Coast Guard United States Ronnie Gil Gavan maritime threats maritime security SEAMLEI Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative Commanders\' Forum
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