The Philippine and Vietnamese coast guards are convening today for a strategic planning conference focused on search and rescue operations, and fire and explosion prevention training.
The meeting will coincide with the arrival of Vietnamese Coast Guard (VCG) vessel CSB 8002, which is set for a five-day port call in Manila. The collaboration marks a step in enhancing maritime safety and emergency response measures between the two nations.
VCG Region 2 Vice Commander, Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat, will lead the CSB 8002 delegation composed of approximately 80 crew on board.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Ballillo said that upon the arrival of the VCG vessel CSB 8002, officers headed by Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan will board the ship for a guided tour.
This will be followed by a formal courtesy call from the VCG delegation to the PCG National Headquarters. The day’s events will culminate in a friendly sports activity at the PCG Gymnasium, fostering camaraderie between the two coast guards.
“There will also be a facility visit at the National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) and Marine Science Investigation Force (MSIF) Laboratory, as well as a vessel tour on board the 83-meter offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301),” Balilo stated.
“Concluding the port call will be the conduct of SAR, fire and explosion prevention training, and passing exercise in the vicinity waters of Manila Bay. CSB 8002 will depart the Philippine waters after a comprehensive debriefing and evaluation of the joint PCG-VCG initiative,” he added
Gavan, meanwhile, said the activity aims to foster mutual understanding and enhance cooperation between the two coast guards.
The exercise is also a priduct of a visit earlier this year made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Gavan to Hanoi, Vietnam, where they tackled the strong bilateral relations between the two coast guards.
As an offahoot, PCG and VCG formally signed amemorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation that strengthens their understanding, mutual trust, and confidence last January 30
Under the MOU, the PCG and VCG agreed to develop a Joint Coast Guard Committee (JCGC) to discuss common issues and interests and establish a hotline communication mechanism.
Gavan emphasized this pursuit enhances the strategic partnership between the two Coast Guards toward promoting, preserving, and protecting their mutual interest in the Southeast Asian region.
