PCG strengthens regional maritime ties with Japan, US in trilateral exercise
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional maritime safety and security through the successful completion of a joint trilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and the US Coast Guard (USCG) in Kagoshima, Japan.
The PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) arrived at the Port of Manila on Wednesday morning following its participation in the 2nd Trilateral Maritime Exercise which had drills that aimed to strengthen cooperation among allied maritime forces in the Indo-Pacific.
The joint exercise, held in alignment with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., featured several key operations, including a communication exercise (COMMEX), search and rescue exercise (SAREX), fire fighting exercise (FFEX), photo exercise (PHOTOEX), and exercise on transfer of personnel.
Welcoming the 123-member Coast Guard delegation was Rear Admiral Hostillo Arturo Cornelio, PCG deputy commandant for administration, who represented PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan.
'This trilateral exercise is a demonstration of solidarity and shared commitment among partner nations. Through activities like these, we not only enhance our capabilities but also reinforce trust and understanding between our Coast Guards,' the PCG said in a statement.
The joint maritime drills emphasized interoperability, allowing the three nations to simulate coordinated responses to maritime emergencies and natural disasters. Beyond tactical readiness, the exercise also provided an avenue for exchanging best practices, improving operational coordination, and reinforcing the shared goal of maintaining safety, security, and stability across Indo-Pacific waters.
The initiative underscores the Philippines' strategic focus on maritime cooperation amid growing regional challenges, particularly in contested waters. It follows a series of similar engagements with regional and global allies, affirming the country's resolve to uphold rules-based order and freedom of navigation.
The PCG has expressed gratitude to both Japan and the United States for their continued support and partnership, noting that future collaborative efforts are underway to sustain momentum and deepen maritime ties. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
PPCRV logs 99.909% match rate in Eleksyon 2025 polls
A volunteer from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) carefully scrutinizes an electronic receipt to compare a vote transmitted by the Commission on Elections on May 13, 2025, at the PPCRV Monitoring Center. DANNY PATA The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said it recorded a 99.909% match between physical and transmitted election returns (ERs) for the 2025 Philippine elections. In a press briefing on Monday, PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson noted that this is the highest match rate since 2010. PPCRV also logged three precincts that have discrepancies between physical and transmitted ERs, which yielded a 0.091% mismatch rate. 'These findings, along with the audit logs, will be sent to COMELEC for clarification and further explanation,' PPCRV's 2025 National and Local Elections Report read. 'I would like to note that this is notably low. It is our lowest, and as such, we got our highest match rate of 99.909% here in 2025,' Singson told reporters. This year, PPCRV scanned 61,482 physical ERs for its audit, which comprised votes from over 38.3 million voters, or 54.90% of the country's voting population. — BM, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
25 more OFWs from Israel back in Philippines — DMW
Twenty-five overseas Filipino caregivers from Israel have returned safely to the Philippines and reunited with their families after availing of the government's voluntary repatriation program. According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on July 6. The repatriation was part of the ongoing effort of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos abroad, especially amid the continuing Iran-Israel conflict. The returning OFWs were welcomed by a whole-of-government team led by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac. "Nag-aalala ang Pangulo sa kalagayan ninyo, pero masaya na siya na nakauwi na kayo. At bilin niya ay mahalagang makarating ang tulong ng gobyerno sa inyo. Kaya ang hiling namin ay gamitin ng wasto ang financial assistance," Cacdac was quoted in a statement as saying. (The President is worried about your situation, but he's happy now that you're home. He instructed us to make sure government aid reaches you. So we ask that you use the financial assistance wisely.) The DMW, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) headed by Administrator PY Caunan, provided financial aid to the returnees through key programs such as the AKSYON Fund and the Emergency Repatriation Fund. In addition, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended separate cash assistance. The repatriated workers also received TESDA training vouchers for skills upgrading, medical checkups, and health referrals from the Department of Health (DOH). Medical teams from the DOH and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) provided immediate health screenings upon arrival. "Mabuti na lang po may financial assistance na binigay sa amin, magagamit namin ito sa pagtatayo ng maliit na negosyo," said OFW Nelizza Baldrias from Calaca, Batangas. (It's a good thing we were given financial assistance; we can use it to start a small business.) The 25 caregivers are part of the 39th batch of OFWs repatriated from Israel under the Marcos administration's voluntary repatriation initiative. A total of 72 Filipinos have returned from Israel since tensions flared in the region. Since October 2023, a total of 1,405 Filipino migrant workers have been repatriated under President Marcos Jr.'s directive, as the government continues to prioritize the protection and reintegration of overseas Filipinos. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
Tarriela files cyberlibel complaint vs blogger Sass Sasot
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela filed a cyberlibel complaint against blogger Sass Sasot on Friday. The complaint was filed at the Manila Prosecutor's Office. Based on the complaint, Tarriela said Sasot allegedly posted 'scurrilous libels' about him on her Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts, accusing the PCG official of bribery, corruption, and cheating. 'The Respondent (Sasot) employed underhanded tactics to insinuate that I am involved in suspicious and criminal activity, often avoiding any explicit statements. This calculated strategy enables her to cast doubt on my integrity and character without making direct accusations,' Tarriela said. PCG WPS spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela files cyber libel complaint vs Sass Rogando Sasot over posts accusing him of corruption, bribery, dishonesty, and misconduct. He seeks ?1.25M in damages, citing reputational harm from her repeated 'malicious and baseless' claims. — Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) July 4, 2025 'However, when viewed in its entirety, it is evident that the Respondent's intent in publicly posting these commentaries is to undermine my character and damage my reputation,' he added. GMA News Online has reached out to Sassot for comment, but she has yet to reply as of posting time. Tarriela said Sasot accused him of receiving $4 million 'talent fee' from the United States and bags of money from House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He added that Sasot also tagged him as a 'Philippine Military Academy cheater.' The PCG official said all these allegations are entirely false and devoid of any factual basis. Tarriela is also seeking over P1 million in damages. —VAL, GMA News Online
