PHL, Japan coast guards hold joint anti-piracy drills in Sibutu Passage

Philippine and Japanese coast guards conducted joint communication and anti-piracy drills on Friday in Sibutu Passage, a narrow channel that separates Borneo from the Sulu archipelago.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the participants were the PCG’s BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403), as well as the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) Tsugaru (PLH-02) with its carrier helicopter.

An anti-piracy operation was demonstrated wherein the JCG helicopter looked for suspicious boats and reported them to the PCG and JCG through vessel communication.

They also performed radio communication between the JCG helicopter and PCG vessels.

“The joint maritime exercise enhanced the synergy between the Philippines and Japan in relation to maritime affairs. It allowed the PCG and JCG to improve collaboration in response to maritime incidents and towards the development of anti-piracy programs,” the PCG said in a statement on Saturday.

“This is to ultimately promote maritime security and maritime safety, and enhance law enforcement interoperability in the country’s maritime jurisdiction,” it added.

Last month, the PCG personnel from northeastern Luzon also underwent a tactical combat casualty care training conducted by members of the US Civilian Military Support Element-Philippines (CMSE PHL) as part of efforts to strengthen maritime rescue operations. — VBL, GMA News