Navy-Coast Guard exercise starts in Cavite

November 21, 2019

The first inter-agency exercise between Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dubbed as Exercise "Pagkakaisa" 2019 formally began in an opening ceremony in Cavite on Wednesday.

Lt. Sahirul Taib, Philippine Navy Fleet spokesman, said the ceremony was held at Nonato Multi-Purpose Hall, Naval Base Cavite.

Taib said the ceremony was led by Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

In his remarks, Bacordo expressed the importance of collaborative effort in maritime security operations.

"I am glad about this collaborative exercise because this will educate our Navy of what our maritime partners are capable of doing'', said Bacordo. 

"It will also strengthen the connection of the two organizations in facing the different challenges of the service," he added.

Taib said the exercise "aims to enhance cooperation of both agencies to harmonize the complementing capabilities for an effective protection, security and promotion of safety in the Philippine Maritime Jurisdiction."

"(This) includes Cooperative Deployment particularly in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Rise, Northern Luzon, Southern Mindanao; Maritime Law Enforcement operations; Search and Rescue Operations; shore based and at-sea training, information exchanges, repair and maintenance assistance and other related maritime cooperation," he said. Robina Asido/DMS