THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is due hold a first-ever trilateral maritime exercise with its counterparts in the United States and Japan off Mariveles town in Bataan starting on Thursday.
Four PCG ships, including two multi-role response vessels, will participate in the exercise which will run until Wednesday next week.
The US and Japan coast guards will use cutter USCG Stratton and patrol vessel Akitsushima, respectively, for the one-week training, the PCG said in a statement yesterday.
The PCG said the exercise is meant to “strengthen interoperability” among the three coast guards in maritime law enforcement and search and rescue (SAR), among others.
“Participating coast guard personnel will demonstrate a scenario involving a suspected vessel involved in piracy,” the PCG said on one of the highlights of the exercise.
“The joint law enforcement team from the three coast guards will conduct a boarding inspection followed by a SAR operation,” the PCG added.
Vice Adm. Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr, PCG deputy commandant for administration, said the exercise will also improve maritime cooperation and understanding among the three coast guards.
PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the exercise in the South China Sea, which comes at a time of growing concern about China’s moves in the region, was an initiative of the United States and Japan, while Australia would join as an observer.
The Philippines was approached by Japan and the US about holding joint maritime exercises in February, the same month when Manila accused China of aggressive activities in the South China Sea, vast stretches of which Beijing claims as its territory.
“This is a usual routine activity among coast guard agencies,” Balilo told a press conference. “There is nothing wrong with holding exercises with your counterparts.”
Japan, Australia and the United States have frequently condemned China’s militarization in the South China Sea and have sought to engage closer with US ally the Philippines since Ferdinand Marcos Jr took over as president last year from pro-China predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine ties with the United States have gained ground under Marcos, who has been increasingly vocal about China’s conduct, including over its alleged use of a “military-grade laser” against a vessel supporting a navy food re-supply mission.
It has also complained about large numbers of suspected militia lingering near Philippine-held features in the disputed Spratly islands. China maintains the actions of its coast guard are legal and in its waters.
Balilo said the upcoming maritime exercise will include counter-piracy simulations, and possibly an interception exercise involving a vessel carrying weapons of mass destruction. — With Reuters
