US, Philippines coast guards hold joint exercises
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have concluded joint search and rescue exercises off Mariveles, Bataan, which included sea-phase demonstrations and anti-piracy exercises.
The PCG , in a statement, said that the training with the USCG Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757) was conducted from September 2 to 3 24 nautical miles southwest of Mariveles, Bataan.
It involved drills like communication exercises, manoeuvring drills, photo exercises, decoding messages through flag hoisting, flashing exercises, publication exercises, small boat operations, boarding operations, search and rescue exercises, as well as medical assistance.
PCG said sea-phase demonstrations were also held to conclude the port visit of USCG Cutter Midgett, which arrived in Manila on August 30.
PCG vessels also performed regular anti-piracy exercise, with two teams of the PCG’s Law Enforcement Afloat Detachment (LEAD) enacting evidence preservation, investigation, and case build-up to establish the offenders’ orderly prosecution and conviction.
PCG Commandant CG Admiral Artemio M Abu explained that piracy “is a high sea and universal crime where cooperation among Coast Guard counterparts is crucial to achieving success.”
