Army, Coast Guard begin month-long jungle warfare training

July 28, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Army (PA) began its first Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course which will last for a month  in Rizal province on Monday.

Commodore Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said the course, which is part of the implementation of the PCG Service Command Career Path (Secomcap), was held at the  2nd Infantry Division at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.

"The class is composed of the 86 trainees from the Coast Guard Officers’ Course Class 24 and 25 from Service Command units: Coast Guard Human Resource Management Command (CGHRMC), Coast Guard Intelligence Force, and Coast Guard Civil Relations Service (CGCRS)," he said.

Aside from Balilo, also the CGCRS commander, the start of the one-month training was also graced by CGHRMC commander, Rear Admiral Joseph Coyme.

"Also present were 2nd ID Training School of the PA Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Jose Del Rosario and Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training of the PA, Lieutenant Colonel Jeriko Roman Sasing," he said.

Balilo said Coyme recognized in a national emergency, the PCG shall be attached to the Department of National Defense (DND) to augment its operations.

"It is high-time for the two uniformed service organizations to enhance interoperability through (the course) and other similar collaborative initiatives," he said.

Balilo said under Army Major Michael Andres, "the trainees of 'Parabellum' Class 02 of 2020 will further reinforce their knowledge and skills in jungle warfare, fight against violence and terrorism, as well as peace and development initiatives."

"They are also expected to become more disciplined, adept in military doctrines, policies, and standard operating procedures, as well as skilled in basic weapons and war material operations after the month-long training," he said. Robina Asido/DMS