The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) launched a series of bilateral maritime exercises along Carcar Bay yesterday, October 10, marking the culmination of the VCG’s five-day port visit to Cebu.
The visit was held under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Vietnam in January 2024.
The MOU aims to strengthen strategic partnership and solidarity through the continued exchange of port visits between the two maritime agencies.
The VCG, aboard the Vietnamese vessel CSB 8002, was in Cebu from October 6 to 10, coinciding with ongoing relief efforts following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu on September 30.
As part of their humanitarian mission, the VCG donated 32 sacks of rice and 10 boxes of noodles from their ship’s food supply, which were transported by a PCG vessel to Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon, Cebu. Medical assistance was also provided to quake victims in the area on Wednesday, October 9.
Before their departure, the PCG and VCG held joint maritime drills in Carcar Bay focusing on search and rescue, firefighting, and oil spill prevention.
Both coast guards successfully demonstrated all simulation exercises before members of the Cebu media, even as a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Davao Oriental and was felt in Cebu yesterday.
As a gesture of respect and gratitude, the PCG rendered ‘passing honors’ to their Vietnamese counterparts through a ceremonial exchange of courtesies.
Before sailing home, the Vietnamese guests raised the Philippine flag aboard the CSB 8002, symbolizing solidarity and camaraderie between the two nations.
In an interview, PCG Chief for International Affairs Commodore Algier Ricafrente underscored the importance of joint exercises in ensuring that personnel are equipped with the proper knowledge and procedures for maritime operations.
Ricafrent said such trainings enhance interoperability between the two countries, particularly in addressing maritime incidents involving search and rescue, firefighting, and oil spill response.
‘Kining exercise nga himoon karong adlawa, mao pod ni ang makatabang para sa atoang interoperability sa ilaha kung naa tay ma-encounter na insidente sa dagat,’ he said.
(Today’s exercise will help strengthen our interoperability with them in case we encounter incidents at sea.)
Ricafrente also shared that the PCG will offer an 11-month Coast Guard Senior Executive Course to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, as discussed during their bilateral meeting with the VCG.
He added that a leadership development program for young officers will soon be implemented to further strengthen maritime cooperation between the Philippines and other nations.