MANILA PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Japan Coast Guard (JCG), and U.S. (USCG) reasserted their commitment in keeping the West Philippine Sea (WPS) free, safe, and secure.
They reiterated to have regular maritime exercises to keep the West Philippine Sea free and safe.
This is for the three countries to show their commitments as allies.
The statement was made at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit held in Singapore.
According to the PCG, including the US and Japan Coast Guard among the first to affirm their commitment to keeping regional waters safe from dealing with China’s escalating aggressiveness in almost entirely disputed waters.
PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan recommended to the JCG and USCG to further consider measures to address the impending potential threat to waters, particularly China’s arrest policy for those who trespass it’s claimed territory.
“The PCG intends to send ships further out, in coordination with other agencies, to better secure our Filipino fishermen,” said CG Admiral Gavan.
“I’d like to propose greater deployment in the high seas. We will do our part, but we also need you to be there to maintain rules-based order the way Coast Guards should play their role,” he added.
In response the JCG proposed conducting more personnel exchanges to create a strong network
counterpart to the Coast Guard when it comes to enforcing maritime law and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, USCG deployed its North Pacific Coast Guard to support the PCG in asserting its sovereignty rights in the WPS.
The three countries also agreed to continue capacity-building initiatives to strengthen their people-to-people relationship.
“Rest assured that the PCG is doing its share in the alliance we nurture. We are grateful for the new opportunities to further strengthen our ranks and fulfill our roles in the most unique way to
address current challenges. Thank you, JCG and USCG, for being reliable partners of the PCG,” said Gavan.