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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG manual equips personnel with essential skills on criminal investigation

PCG manual equips personnel with essential skills on criminal investigation

Published May 3, 2025 04:19 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) launched its own criminal investigation manual on May 2 to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities by providing detailed procedures for criminal investigation, court processes, and other essential law enforcement guidelines.
  • Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan highlighted that the manual aims to enhance the skills of coast guard law enforcers nationwide, covering all coast guard districts, stations, and sub-stations.
  • The launch signifies the PCG's evolution into a full-fledged law enforcement agency and is part of its broader modernization and professionalism efforts to address maritime security challenges.
  •  

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) introduced its very own criminal investigation manual on Friday, May 2, aimed at enhancing its law enforcement capabilities.

PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said the manual is intended to strengthen the capabilities of coast guard law enforces by providing step-by-step procedures in criminal investigation, court procedures, rules and regulations in arrest and apprehension, filling of cases, and other guides needed in the performance of mandated functions.

The manual will be distributed across all coast guard districts, stations, and sub-stations to ensure its nationwide implementation.

The PCG’s involvement in law enforcement encompasses a wide array of operations. 

In November 2024, the PCG arrested several undocumented Chinese nationals working in a dredging vessel in Bataan. 

PCG personnel have also foiled numerous attempts by criminal entities to ship illegal arms and drugs into the country via the vast seas and coastlines. 

They are also instrumental in enforcing traffic rules on the EDSA Busway, ensuring road safety.

Gavan said the launch of the manual symbolized the birth of the PCG as a full-fledged law enforcement agency.

“With the signing of this manual, the PCG now contributes to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) a full suite of capability to enable the Department to support the government in defense, in humanitarian services, and most significantly, in law enforcement,” he said.

The PCG chief further stated that the promulgation of the manual also formed part of the coast guard’s broader modernization and professionalism program, which aims to ensure that the agency is fully equipped to address the evolving challenges in maritime security.

The launching ceremony was graced by DOTr Sec. Vince Dizon, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Eliseo DC Cruz, and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Representative April Rose Dela Cruz graced the launching ceremony at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila.

Justice Asst. Sec. Cruz expressed his full support for the PCG’s initiative, stressing that the DOJ stands firmly behind the coast guard as it expands its role in criminal investigation.

“We are committed to working hand in hand in the pursuit of effective prosecution, protection of due process, and the overall strengthening of our justice system,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dizon emphasized the critical role that the PCG plays in safeguarding Philippine waters and ensuring the protection of maritime resources.

“The Coast Guard is probably the single most important agency, maritime agency of the country, simply because of its enormous responsibility to not only protect our sovereign waters, especially now given the threats and the risks in our seas. But the Coast Guard's role in the last few years has really evolved, and it really requires the utmost support, not only from the Department of Transportation, but from the entire Filipino nation,” he said. 

Related Tags

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