Lieutenant Commander Marimin Viernes PCG began her journey in the PCG on 5 September 2002 as part of the first batch of female recruits, completing the Coast Guardman’s Course (Class 06-2002).

Her career started at the Directorate for Human Resource and Management (CG-1) from 2003 to 2006. In 2006, when she joined the Coast Guard K-9 Unit, she truly stepped into uncharted territory. Despite doubts and negative comments about a woman taking on the rigorous K-9 training, she persevered and successfully completed the Coast Guard Handlers Course (Class 03-2006). As the first female K-9 handler, she took on the demanding role of working with Hera, a Coast Guard Explosive Detection Dog.

When the CGK9 Detachment in Coron, Palawan was activated, she was assigned there and became part of CGS Coron’s team when they were awarded "Station of the Year Alpha." She eventually rose in the position of K-9 over-all Petty Officer-in-Charge of Coast Guard District Palawan, leading male subordinates and playing a key role in major operations, including the seizure of nearly a million pesos worth of contraband, such as "ukay-ukay" (second-hand clothes) and pirated CDs, at Puerto Princesa Port.

On August 2011, she pursued further training through the Coast Guard Officers Course (Class 12-2011). Returning to the CGK9 Group, she took on even more challenging roles, completing the CGK9 Special Operations Course and becoming the first female K-9 Search and Rescue (SAR) handler. She later served as Assistant Course Director for the CGK9 Handlers Course in Palawan.

"I’ve often been associated with being the ‘first’ in my career," LCDR Viernes shared. "Recently, I had the privilege of becoming the first CGK9 personnel to undergo K-9 training abroad—a two-week International Dog Detector Program with the Australian Border Force in Bulla, Australia. But being the first isn’t just about titles; it’s about proving through action. I never stop learning and sharing my knowledge, especially with our Coast Guard K-9 handlers. I hope my journey inspires other female handlers and Coastguardians to break barriers and pursue their goals with determination."