MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte has ordered the deployment of additional personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at ports and harbors across the country.
The directive, which expands measures to supress and prevent lawless violence, is provided under Memorandum Order 4, which was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
“There is a need for a comprehensive implementation of the President’s directive to prevent further loss of innocent lives and destruction of property in the entire Philippine territory, including the country’s maritime jurisdiction, with due respect to the protection of the fundamental civil and political rights of our citizens,“ the memorandum stated.
The President earlier issued Proclamation 55 declaring a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence following the Davao City bombing that killed 15 people.
Medialdea said the PCG could assist in the enforcement of laws on firearms and explosives, controlled chemicals and transnational crimes.
Under the memorandum, PCG personnel were tasked to inspect merchant ships and vessels to ensure compliance with safety standards, rules and regulations as well as conduct surveillance and inspection of persons, vessels and watercrafts navigating within Philippine waters.
“The PCG shall strictly enforce maritime security communications protocol to enhance detection of any threat to maritime safety and security,” it stated.
Medialdea said the Department of Transportation was tasked to supervise the PCG’s compliance to the memorandum.
Government agencies and local government units were tasked to assist the PCG in the implementation of the order.