Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, graced the send-off ceremony for the four vessels participating in the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022 in the vicinity waters off Makassar, Indonesia from 22 to 29 May 2022.
“This maritime exercise directly impacts doctrines, training, capability development, and strategies that we may utilize in future undertakings. The PCG will participate in the MARPOLEX 2022 to strengthen our oil spill response and management capability, and strengthen our relationship and interoperability with the Coast Guards of Indonesia and Japan,” CG Admiral Abu said.
The PCG’s largest vessel to date, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), will join the said maritime exercise as its first deployment after being commissioned into the Coast Guard service on 06 May 2022.
Other PCG vessels that will be part of MARPOLEX 2022 are BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403), and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411).
Together with the Directorate of Sea Transportation (DGST) of the Republic of Indonesia and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the PCG will enhance cooperation and capability in firefighting, rescue, and oil spill recovery operations through planning, command and control, and the conduct of integrated operations.
“To the members of the Philippine contingent headed by CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan, this send-off ceremony symbolized that the PCG leadership is fully committed to pursuing our mandates on marine environmental protection, and there is a need to invigorate our friendship with participating nations,” the Coast Guard Commandant added.
“Tayo ay nakahanda. Tayo ay nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga karatig-bansa para masiguro ang pangangalaga sa ating karagatan by addressing oil spill promptly, in coordination with our counterparts,” CG Admiral Abu furthered.
“Isang magandang oportunidad ito para maipakita natin ang ating husay at galing bilang kasapi ng PCG. Thank you for taking this rare opportunity,” the Coast Guard Commandant ended.
(PCG)