The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV), BRP Teresa Magbanua, will join the second trilateral maritime exercise with the US Coast Guard (USCG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) that will be conducted for the first time in the vicinity waters of Kagoshima, Japan, from June 16 to 20.

The undertaking is anchored on President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr.’s directive for the PCG to engage in capacity-building initiatives that promote cooperation, understanding, and mutual trust among Coast Guard counterparts.

The PCG, USCG, and JCG pursued their first-ever trilateral maritime exercise in the vicinity waters of Mariveles, Bataan, from June 1 to 7, where they strengthened their interoperability through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises.

The PCG recognizes the significant contributions of USCG and JCG in improving the skills and expertise of its men and women through various human resource development programs.

Through the second trilateral maritime exercise, the PCG envisions stronger collaboration and deeper diplomatic relations with its Coast Guard counterparts, as well as the exploration of more avenues for maritime cooperation towards a rules-based order. DMS