Coast Guard, BOC agree to joint manning of Customs’ 20 patrol boats
September 11, 2020
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) signed on Thursday a memorandum of agreement for the joint manning and operation of 20 newly-procured fast patrol boats of the BOC.
Commodore Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said the agreement aims to enhance the cooperation of PCG and BOC against customs fraud, as well as on border control and anti-smuggling operations.
Balilo said both “PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr and BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero have agreed to work together for the efficient utilization and navigation of said 12-meter floating assets for the performance of law enforcement functions to uphold security, peace, and order within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines.”
“We are honored to further collaborate with the Bureau of Customs in deterring and preventing illegal activities in our country’s waters. Rest assured that we will pursue our commitment in keeping the Philippine maritime jurisdiction safe and secured,” Ursabia said.
Balilo said Guerrero also expressed his gratitude for the support of the PCG in eradicating activities related to illicit trade.
“I look forward to the successful implementation of this agreement. I am grateful to the Philippine Coast Guard for assisting us in the enforcement of laws pertaining to border control, prevention of entry of smuggled goods, and other customs fraud that hinder the growth of our national economy,” Guerrero said.
Balilo said under the MOA, “the BOC shall have the authority to deploy the fast patrol boats for law enforcement missions, while the PCG shall share its technical expertise in operating and navigating said floating assets and ensure that knowledge and skills are efficiently transferred to BOC personnel.”
“Each fast boat shall be manned by a total of nine crew members, composed of five BOC personnel and four PCG non-officers, who satisfactorily completed the Small Boat Operation and Management Course (SBMOC),” he said.
While the PCG assists the BOC in maintaining the fast patrol boats, the BOC shall be responsible in allocating funds for the daily preventive maintenance of equipment or machines onboard, procurement of spare parts and other consumables, as well as dry docking and other repair activities, Balilo said.
“In an event of natural calamity or national emergency, the PCG, upon proper coordination with the BOC, may utilize the fast patrol boats in conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations and responding to maritime incidents,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS
Latest Videos
- GEORGE SOROS BLASTED THE U S FOR SUPPORTING ISRAEL ON NOT WORKING WITH HAMAS
- WIKILEAKS REVELATIONS SHOW U S ‘IGNORED’ TORTURE FROM THE WAR IN IRAQ
- THE ROOTS OF THE ISRAEL PALESTINE CONFLICT
- TUCKER CARLSON QUESTIONS U.S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL WAR
- RFK Jr TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AS INDEPENDENT, DECLARING INDEPENDENCE FROM THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES
- JAPANESE VIROLOGIST SAYS OMICRON MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED
- JAPANESE VIEW & FILIPINO BEAUTY