QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Japan Coast Guard has joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in conducting a trilateral maritime exercise in Mariveles, Bataan.
According to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the trilateral maritime exercise is the first of its kind between the three countries’ coast guards.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday welcomed contingents from Japan and US Coast Guards at Pier 15 in South Harbor in Manila.
Present during the ceremony are Charges d’affaires ad interim Matsuda Kenichi, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava, PCG Vice Admiral Rolando Punzalan Jr., Transportation Undersecretary for the Maritime Sector Elmer Francisco Sarmiento, and Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Raphael Hermoso.
“Today, Japan has taken another step forward towards reinforcing maritime domain awareness and maritime law enforcement as affirmed in the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement. We will concretely advance cooperation with the Philippines to bolster maritime security capabilities and freedom of navigation,” said Matsuda.
The JCG will deploy Akitsushima (PLH-32) for the exercise. The PCG will send BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV), while the USCG will send USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752).
Two of the participating vessels from the PCG, the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the 44-meter MRRV, were acquired through the JICA-DOTr Maritime Safety Improvement Project.
The trilateral maritime exercise aims to strengthen interoperability between the JCG, PCG, and USCG through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises.
Likewise, Matsuda affirmed Japan’s support for the trilateral maritime exercise, saying “the shared history between Japan, the Philippines and the United States realizes a free and open international order in the Indo-Pacific region.” (Embassy of Japan PH/PIA-NCR)
