MANILA PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) will join the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2024 between the Coast Guards of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan in Bacolod City next week.
Earlier today, 19 June 2024, the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), headed by its Commander, CG Commodore Rejard Marfe, conducted a send-off ceremony for the 83-meter offshore patrol vessel at Panacan Wharf, Davao City.
Commodore Marfe said that MARPOLEX is a sign of their dedication to protect the precious waters from securing our maritime borders to executing swift emergency responses.
“We exemplify steadfast guardianship to our nation’s ship serving as a beacon of safety and protection of the open waters,” CG Commodore Marfe said, on behalf of Coast Guard Fleet Commander, CG Rear Admiral Edgar Ybañez, during the ceremony.
“To the crew of BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), you embark on this mission not just as Coast Guards, but as custodians of our marine environment. Your dedication will enhance our readiness, allowing us to promptly and efficiently respond to pollution incidents, thus protecting marine ecosystems and coastal communities,” he furthered.
The official wish and thank the coast guard fleet in their journey to be secure and may their efforts result in cleaner and safer seas for all.
Some of the exercises that will be conducted during the Regional MARPOLEX 2024 are Search and rescue, Firefighting, Oil spill recovery ops, Equipment recovery ops and Damage assessment ops.