The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to deploy for the first time one of its vessels to Hawaii to participate in the 30th edition of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise to determine not only its ability to operate alongside foreign counterparts but also its logistics system and law enforcement role in regional security.

The PCG will send the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) for the world's largest naval exercise. The ship is scheduled to depart from Manila on Thursday, June 4.

“We are the first foreign coast guard to be invited to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise,” Gavan said.

“Our vessel, the BRP Gabriela Silang, will set sail on June 4 alongside our big brother, the Philippine Navy. We will demonstrate our capabilities and show that the time has come when the Philippine Coast Guard is no longer a laggard, no longer left behind, and is now keeping pace with our counterparts in other parts of the world,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy will be represented by its newest guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6).

This year’s iteration of RIMPAC, hosted by the United States in Hawaii every two years, brings together 31 navies and maritime forces around the world from June 24 to July 31. The exercise will feature a multinational force of approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel.

Gavan said the exercise will include activities involving PCG special operations forces, visit-board-search-and-seizure operations, public affairs, information operations, and cybersecurity drills.

Further, he noted that the trip to Hawaii will serve as a practical test of the agency's ability to sustain operations far from Philippine waters.

“This will be somewhat difficult to undertake because Hawaii is very far away. It will also serve as a test for the Philippine Coast Guard to determine how developed our logistics system has become,” Gavan said.

“By the way, wars are not won through tactics alone. Logistics. Wars are won by logistics. Through this undertaking, we will test our logistics capabilities and determine the extent of what our country can sustain—not just the Philippine Coast Guard,” he added.

This year's participation takes place as the Marcos administration pushes ahead with a major modernization program for the PCG.

According to Gavan, the PCG expects to receive more than 40 additional vessels from several partner countries over the next five years, boosting the current fleet of 40 vessels.

“Under the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos, we will acquire 40 additional vessels from France, that has already been approved. We will also receive five more from Japan, while several others will be built locally or come from the United States and other friendly countries,” he said.

“Based on our projections, within five years, the Philippine Coast Guard will have around 84 ships. By that time, we will have the largest fleet and the youngest fleet in Southeast Asia,” he added.

Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. underscored the importance of strengthening the coast guard's capabilities as reports emerged that the United States plans to transfer a coast guard cutter to the Philippines through foreign military financing.

While declining to discuss details of the transfer and referring questions to Gavan, Teodoro said stronger coast guard capabilities would allow the Philippine Navy to focus on its primary mission.

“This would allow the Coast Guard to properly fulfill its duties, allowing the Navy to do its job as well,” Teodoro said.

“These two agencies work in tandem. When the PCG falls short in internal maritime safety and security, the Philippine Navy is disrupted because the Navy has to step in and help,” he underscored.