The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed its flagship vessel to join the trilateral maritime exercise with Japan and the United States Coast Guard in the waters of Kagoshima this month.

BRP Teresa Magbanua, a 97-meter multirole response vessel with 123 personnel onboard, left the country following the send off ceremony led by Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Coast Guard Attache, First Secretary Shogo Oka at Pier 13 in South Harbor, Manila on Friday.

It is the second time that the PCG will join a trilateral maritime exercise with US and Japan Coast Guards following the first training in Mariveles Bataan in June 2023, but Gavan confirmed in an interview that it is the first time that one of their multi-role response vessels from Japan will train with allied countries outside the country.

"For this kind of activity this is the first time, we have existing activity with Indonesia for (marine pollution exercise) MARPOLEX but for this kind of... search and rescue, law enforcement, communication exchange combined together with our only treaty ally the US and our one of the longest standing partner the Japan Coast Guard, it is the first time. so this is very symbolic to us," he said.

"The departure of our ship, the flagship to a trilateral exercise in Japan, is an affirmation that the Coast Guard is now able and always willing to partner with the world to secure our part of the country for maritime. Their departure will also symbolize that the relationship between the Coast Guard of the United States and Japan has already matured," he added.

Gavan said BRP Teresa Magbanua, which is one of the largest and most advanced vessel of the PCG, is set to arrive at Kagoshima Port in Japan on June 11 where it will undergo a three-day maintenance and repair which will be followed by the reception ceremony for the PCG and USCG on June 16.

During their stay that will last until June 20, the PCG, USCG, and JCG will conduct facility tours, mutual visits to patrol vessels, maritime exercise meetings, and capacity-building exercises.

The PCG noted that one of the highlights of the capacity-building initiative will be the conduct of Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) in the vicinity waters of Kinko-Bay, Kagoshima.

During the ceremony, Gavan also awarded the Filipino fishermen who recently recovered and turned over P1.5 billion worth of illegal drugs off the waters of Scarborough Shoal.

The fishermen received cash incentives, certificate of recognition and grocery items including rice. Robina Asido/DMS