The Philippine Coast Guard announced on May 29 that it will conduct its first joint maritime exercise with the US Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard. The GMA Network television network reported that the exercise will take place from June 1-7 in waters near the municipality of Mariveles, Bataan province, near Manila.
Philippine Coast Guard during an exercise in Manila Bay
The exercise aims to improve joint operational capabilities through communications, navigation, maritime law enforcement training, and search and rescue. Forces will engage in a scenario involving a suspected pirate vessel and conduct a ship inspection following a search and rescue operation.
The Philippines will deploy four ships to participate in the exercise. The US Coast Guard will deploy the USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) while the Japan Coast Guard will deploy the patrol ship Akitsushima (PLH-32).
The welcoming ceremony and opening ceremony of the exercise will take place at Manila Port on June 1. US Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy Kenichi Matsuda and Head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Philippines Takema Sakamoto will attend. The host side will be Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista.
"The US Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard have supported us in our human resource development program, especially law enforcement training. This is a good opportunity to thank them and demonstrate to them that we have learned from their programs," said Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr., deputy commander of the Philippine Coast Guard.
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