MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed a total of 110 personnel in Philippine marine territories with the aim of strengthening maritime security within six “critical” regions across the country.
The send-off ceremony was conducted on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila, in which these personnel were the members forming the Maritime Security Law Enforcement Groups (MARSLEGs).
This move came after China’s latest regulation reinforcing its coast guard to arrest foreigners “trespassing” into the disputed waters even without trial, within 30 to 60 days.
“We reaffirm our commitment to working together to uphold the highest standards of maritime security and ensure the territorial integrity of our country,” CG Vice Admiral Punzalan Jr quoted.
For his part, Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC) Commander, CG Vice Admiral Robert Patrimonio emphasized that the MARSLEGs are generally tasked to strengthen maritime
security drive and ensure the smooth flow of maritime economics within the Philippine domestic waters.
“The MARSLEGs will augment and intensify our fight against human trafficking, illegal fishing activities, drugs and arms smuggling, and other maritime infringements within the municipal waters,” CG Vice Admiral Patrimonio added.
Patrimonio further stated that they have initially identified six (6) critical regions, which are with high maritime traffic and high reports of maritime security-related incidents.
Specifically, the MARSLEGs will supervise and implement laws, policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations pertaining to the security law enforcement on sea transport and maritime infrastructures in the country.
Each MARSLEG is composed of highly trained PCG personnel from the:
(1) Coast Guard K9 Force,
(2) Coast Guard Security and Border Protection Force,
(3) Coast Guard Investigation and Detection Force,
(4) Coast Guard Surface Patrol Force, and
(5) Coast Guard Sea Marshall Force.
The MARSLEC Commander added that they will expand the deployment activities within this year to cover other regions.