PCG successfully places 5 buoys in West Philippine Sea to guide ships, fishers

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has successfully placed five buoys in the West Philippine Sea last week to guide ships and fishermen navigating the country's exclusive economic zone.

One marker was placed each near Lawak Island, Likas Island, and Parola Island, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday by Victoria Tulad.

Two buoys meanwhile were placed near Pag-asa Island.

LOOK: The Philippine Coast Guard successfully placed five buoys in the West Philippine Sea to guide fishermen and ships. PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said there was no hostile reaction from China. @gmanews

???? PCG pic.twitter.com/hjaqfovuht

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) May 16, 2022

There was no tension in the area during the activity, even if the China Coast Guard was monitoring, according to PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu.

"Limang barko ng Coast Guard ang nandoon. One week sila doon. Ang guidance ko sa kanila, unahan niyo sila, tayo ang mag-challenge sa kanila. So ano nangyari? E tayo nagcha-challenge, hindi naman sila nagre-reply," Abu told reporters.

(There were five ships of the Coast Guard in the area. They will be there for a week. My guidance to them was to be the first in challenging them. So what happened? We challenged them but they did not reply.)

The PCG will hold arrival honors on Wednesday for the Coast Guard task force who placed the five buoys successfully in the West Philippine Sea.

Abu also said PCG ships will participate in the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022 in Indonesia on May 22-29.

The said exercise will test the ability of the coast guards of the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan in addressing oil spills.

"And alam niyo naman na oil spill knows no boundaries. So kailangan ay ready ang bansa natin at ready ang mga neighboring countries natin na mag-respond," Abu said.

(And you know that oil spill knows no boundaries. So our country and our neighboring countries have to be ready to respond.)

The PCG's newest and largest multi-response vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), will take part in MARPOLEX 2022.

The other PCG ships that will join the said exercise are BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411). —KG, GMA News