LOOK: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, welcomed the United Kingdom Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs Department Anne-Marie Trevelyan aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila, today, 31 March 2023.

CG Admiral Abu briefed Minister Trevelyan regarding the West Philippine Sea, followed by a vessel tour.

"We spoke about the necessity of upholding international maritime law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As fellow maritime nations, the Philippines and the U.K. understand that this is essential, not only to our common security, but also to our continued growth and prosperity," Minister Trevelyan expressed.

"We will be expanding our work to protect the marine environment, including tackling illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing and plastic pollution," she added. 

"I look forward to deepening our partnership in an area that is at the heart of both our nations' identities," the U.K. Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs Department furthered. 

PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations, CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr; Deputy Commandant for Administration, CG Vice Admiral Ronni Gil Gavan; and Coast Guard Fleet Commander, CG Rear Admiral Charlie Rances, joined the PCG Commandant in welcoming Minister Trevelyan. 

Joining the U.K. Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs Department were His Majesty's Ambassador Laure Beaufils; Defense Attaché Group Captain Bea Walcot Raf; Political Counsellor Georgia Jones; Assistant to the Defense Attache Jaime Sarmiento; Deputy Head of Public Diplomacy Cara San Pedro; and Digital Diplomacy Officer Patricia Torralba.