PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard under its commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino welcomed yesterday, 15 May 2019, the 418-foot United States Coast Guard National Security Cutter “Bertholf (WMSL 750) with its Commanding Officer, Captain John J Driscoll at Pier 15, Manila, the first visit by a U.S. cutter to the country in over 7 years.

The visit is part of its deployment in the Indo-Pacific under the tactical control of the commander of U.S. 7th Fleet with the purpose of enhancing interoperability and capacity building between the USCG and the PCG.

Homeported in Alameda, the USCGC Bertholf has the speed of 28+ knots and range of 12,000 nautical miles with approximately 170 crew onboard.

The arrival was held after the conduct of Capability-Building Training Exercise with USCGC Bertholf, 56-meter Search and Rescue Vessel (SARV)-004 (BRP Batangas), and 24-m Fast Patrol Boat (FPB)- 2404 (BRP Kalanggaman) on 14 May, in the West Philippine Sea which focused on search and rescue, maritime security and law enforcement capabilities.
Aside from the exercise, the Bertholf crewmembers, several of whom are of Filipino heritage, will train and interact with PCG members through community relations events including Brigada Eskwela, friendly games, and social gatherings.

Capt Driscoll said, “The officers and crew of Bertholf are excited to visit Manila and work with our counterparts in the Philippine Coast Guard as we share experiences in port and at sea in search and rescue and maritime law enforcement. On the personal side, I lived in the Philippines for several years as a young boy, but haven’t been back in 40 years. I’m excited to be reacquainted with the Philippine culture and people.”

Moreover, Vice Admiral Linda Fagan, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander who oversees the cutter said, “The United States is a Pacific nation. We have deep and long-standing ties with our partners in the region, and more importantly, we share a strong commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, governed by a rules-based international system that promotes peace, security, prosperity and sovereignty of all nations.”

The arrival yesterday was attended by Captain Armando A Balilo, Commander of Coast Guard Public Affairs Office; Captain Nelbert P Aniversario, Headquarters Support Group; Commander Angel Z Viliran PCG, Director of Philippine Coast Guard Command Center; Commander Pamela DC Dolina, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Plans, Programs and International Affairs and other PCG officers and men.