The Philippine Coast Guard announced on May 29.5 that it would conduct joint maritime exercises for the first time with the US Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard. The GMA Network television network quoted the announcement that the exercise will take place from June 1 to June 7.6 in the 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, maneuvering, maritime law enforcement training, and search and rescue. The forces will engage in a confrontation with a suspected piracy vessel, and will also conduct ship inspections following a search and rescue operation.
The Philippines will deploy four ships to participate in the exercise. The US Coast Guard dispatched the USCGC Stratton (WMSL-4) while the Japan Coast Guard sent the Akitsushima (PLH-752) patrol boat to join.
The welcoming ceremony for the ship and the opening of the exercise will take place at the port of Manila on June 1.6. US Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson, Deputy Chief Representative of the Japanese Embassy Kenichi Matsuda and leader of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Philippines Takema Sakamoto will attend. The hosts include Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo and Transport Minister Jaime Bautista.
“The US Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard have supported us in our human resource development program, especially in law enforcement training. This is a good opportunity to thank them and show them that we have learned from their programs,” said Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr, deputy commander of the Philippine Coast Guard.
