The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participated in the series of unscripted boarding drills mimicking scenarios of common threats experienced amongst waters within Southeast Asia as part of the sea phase activity of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (widely known as SEACAT) Exercise this year.
The sea phase activity involved two tracking and boarding scenarios in the country which took place at vicinity waters West off Subic, Zambales last 03 September for the PCG and to be followed by the Philippine Navy boarding at waters off Palawan respectively. The PCG conducted a compliant and non-compliant boardings this year simulating three scenarios involving illegal fishing, firearms and drug smuggling.
The said drills were conducted as conclusion to the week-long Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO)/Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) workshop led by the US Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team at Headquarters Coast Guard Surface Support Force in Manila which started since 27 August.
The activity also aims to evaluate the PCG’s information sharing capabilities between and among Coast Guard districts, units and participating surface and air assets. Liaison officers sent in Changi, Singapore and a watch team at Coast Guard Action Center at PCG national headquarters in Manila were tasked to facilitate exchange of information, coordinate surveillance operations, and alert respective headquarters in the conduct of MIO/VBSS operation to the vessel of interest.
The PCG has deployed its surface assets such as the 44-meter multi-role response vessel, BRP Suluan (MRRV 4406); rigid hull inflatable boats; and PCG Islander aircraft to conduct tracking, communications, surveillance operations, and maritime interdiction.
Moreover, Coast Guard Anti-Terrorist Unit and Coast Guard K9 teams were also dispatched to conduct boarding procedures as part of the PCG’s capability enhancement in conducting maritime law enforcement against maritime threats.
SEACAT Exercise 2018 is marked as the 16th in the series since its launching in 2002 with six partner navies from Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia while the Philippines participated as an observer in 2016.