PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard continues establishing its sturdy relationship with the US and Southeast Asian counterparts and Navies through its conduct of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) workshop in connection with the SEACAT (Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training) Exercise which was formally opened yesterday, 21 August at PCG Headquarters in Manila.

During the speech given by Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Obenchain USCG, Maritime Advisor of the Defense Threat Reduction Authority of the US Embassy-Manila, he pointed out that the workshop represents an opportunity for all to share the best practices, discuss tactics, training, procedures and strengthen the participating nations' interoperatibility.

Commodore Leopoldo V Laroya PCG, Commander of the Maritime Law Enforcement and Security Command also emphasized that education and training is very vital in achieving personal development, nation building and achieving stability in the region. He also added that said exercise will provide the participants with the necessary tools on the effective maritime security information sharing which will address the maritime security challenges.

The opening ceremony was then followed by a presentation of best practices of use of force and demonstration of arresting techniques of every participating country. 

During the second day of said workshop, participating agencies also discussed the various trends of maritime threats which are rampant in their respective countries such as smuggling, poaching, piracy and human trafficking. Also, communication barriers encountered during conduct of operations were also discussed. Moreover, the workshop concluded by conducting room entry techniques (2-man/4-man) aboard two PCG vessels, BRP Corregidor and BRP Pampanga.