PCG, BFAR hold maritime exercises in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the persistent presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), eight ships of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are holding maritime exercises in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in Zambales and Pag-asa Island in Palawan.

The PCG’s Task Force Pagsasanay stepped up its comprehensive maritime exercises in the two areas, which started on April 24 and will run for 10 days to two weeks, according to PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo.

The PCG used its ships Gabriela Silang and Sindangan near Panatag Shoal and Cabra and Malapascua along with the BFAR vessels for interoperability exercises near Pag-asa Island.

Crewmembers of participating PCG and PCG-manned BFAR vessels are intensifying their training in navigation, small boat operations, maintenance and logistical operations.

“We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea to undertake maritime security, safety, law enforcement, search and rescue, and environmental protection in our territorial waters,” Balilo said.

He said the PCG, through these maritime exercises, intends to achieve operational and logistical efficiency, and optimize its manpower and assets through a harmonized command, control and supply chain.

Aside from the WPS, Balilo said the PCG would also conduct maritime exercises at the Batanes Group of Islands and Benham Rise as well as in the southern and eastern portions of the Philippines.

As part of its humanitarian mandate, the PCG will hold next week medical and dental missions for residents of the Pagasa Island.

Early this month, PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr. activated the Task Force Pagsasanay with Vice Admiral Oscar Endona, chief of the PCG’s maritime security command, as head.

Rear Admirals Ronnie Gil Gavan and Allan dela Vega are in charge of the task force’s policy and operations.