Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr and Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone (ZamboEcoZone) Chairman and Raul M. Regondola signed a memorandum of agreement ( MOA ) to intensify efforts in countering maritime terrorism in Southwestern Mindanao yesterday, 24 January 2021.

In a formal signing ceremony aboard BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) berthed at the Zamboanga Port, Admiral Ursabia recognized the need to establish a Coast Guard Support Base Facility inside the zone to strengthen measures against all acts of maritime terrorism in an effort to uphold peace and public safety in the region.

For his part, ZamboEcoZone Chairman Regondola expressed his gratitude for the Coast Guard's commitment to support the growth of local and international businesses in the vicinity, thereby providing the Zamboangueño people with promising work opportunities without having to leave their families to pursue employment in Metro Manila or abroad. 

The MOA provides the PCG with 11.4-hectare land area, including coastal shoreline, inside the ZamboEcoZone for the establishment of the Coast Guard Southwestern Mindanao Complex that will serve as a support base facility.

Said infrastructure will augment maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection initiatives of the PCG in Zamboanga.

Also present during the MOA signing ceremony were Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao Commander, Commodore Edgar B Boado and other Coast Guard officers and personnel.