A snappy salute

Congratulations to the Philippine Coast Guard on its 125th founding anniversary. For 125 years, the service has stood watch over a nation whose history, livelihood and security are inseparable from the sea. Its anniversary theme, “One Sea, One Mission, One Legacy,” is a fitting reminder that protecting our waters is a shared responsibility and that every patrol, rescue and act of service contributes to a larger national purpose.

Today, that purpose demands a Coast Guard ready for the challenges of the next decade. Our goal should be clear: to build Southeast Asia’s leading Coast Guard by 2030. This is not a contest of slogans or fleet sizes alone. It means having the vessels, technology, trained personnel, logistics and institutional support to protect maritime rights, keep shipping safe, assist fisherfolk, respond to disasters and preserve the marine environment.

Modernization is already taking shape through international cooperation. Japan, in particular, has been a steadfast partner in strengthening the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities, including through patrol vessels and other support. As recently noted, this assistance is more than a transfer of equipment. It is an investment in maritime safety, regional stability and the long-standing friendship between our two countries. We are grateful for that partnership, and we must ensure that every asset we receive is matched with the training, maintenance and operating resources needed to keep it effective.

It is also measured by the judgment of its people, the confidence of the communities it serves and its ability to work with partners without losing sight of the national interest. These are areas where Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has left a meaningful mark as commandant and leader.

As his three-year term concludes on Oct. 19, we should recognize his service and the direction he has helped establish. His leadership has advanced an approach grounded in professionalism, calm under pressure and determination in fulfilling lawful missions. “Chill but Prevail,” the mantra associated with his command, captures that balance. Chill calls for discipline and restraint in tense encounters at sea, prevail means standing firm in protecting Philippine interests and upholding the law. Calmness should never be mistaken for weakness, just as resolve should never require needless escalation.

His initiatives have also brought the Coast Guard to the Filipino people. “Angels of the Sea,” involving female radio operators in maritime security and humanitarian missions, highlights how clear communication can help manage tense situations while demonstrating women’s important role in maritime operations. The iCARE program brings assistance, awareness, response and enforcement closer to coastal communities through safety education, outreach, emergency response and stronger public participation in reporting maritime concerns. These efforts remind us that maritime security begins not only offshore, but also in the communities who lives depend on the water.

Gavan’s “ONE at Sea” initiative reflects another essential lesson. No single agency can address every challenge in our maritime domain alone. Government agencies, local communities, private stakeholders and international partners must coordinate their work. At the regional level, Philippine efforts to formalize the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum during the country’s 2026 ASEAN chairship offer a platform for closer cooperation on maritime safety, transnational crime, illegal fishing, marine environmental protection and disaster response. Proposals such as SEA-PEACE, which seeks common operational protocols, could help make encounters at sea more predictable and cooperative.

Our Coast Guard must maintain a credible presence across a vast archipelago, assist Filipino fishers, protect marine resources, respond to emergencies and uphold our rights in the West Philippine Sea. It must be prepared to do all this professionally, consistently and in accordance with international law. That is why modernization legislation deserves sustained attention in Congress. Republic Act 9993 provides the legal foundation for the Philippine Coast Guard, but our ambitions for 2030 require continued investment in capability and institutional readiness. Modernization must go beyond acquiring vessels. It must fund personnel development, technical expertise, communications, drones and surveillance systems, vessel-traffic management, shore facilities, spare parts and long-term maintenance. A ship that cannot be properly crewed, repaired or deployed is not a capability fully realized.

As lawmakers, our responsibility is to support a modernization framework that is properly funded, transparent, accountable and sustainable. We must ask not only how many assets are acquired, but whether they improve response times, expand operational reach, protect lives and deliver better public service. Partnerships with Japan and other friends can accelerate progress, but long-term strength must also rest on our own commitment to invest wisely and consistently.

To the next commandant, the task is to build on what has been achieved while preparing the service for what comes next. Preserve the Coast Guard’s professionalism, invest in its people, deepen useful partnerships and keep the needs of coastal communities at the center of its mission. The ambition to lead in Southeast Asia by 2030 will be achieved through daily discipline, smart planning and sustained national support, not through one leader’s tenure alone.

And to Admiral Gavan, thank you. Your service has helped strengthen the Coast Guard’s presence, partnerships and connection with the people it protects. As you conclude your term, we recognize not only the initiatives launched under your leadership, but also the personnel you have guided and the example you leave behind.

On the Coast Guard’s 125th anniversary, we celebrate an institution built on service and sacrifice, and look ahead to a more capable future. To the men and women who stand watch over our waters, congratulations and thank you. To Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, as you leave command, allow me to offer a snappy salute for your service, your leadership and your contribution to a stronger Philippine Coast Guard.