Philippine Coast Guard pursues modernization and maritime enforcement

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is pursuing both strategic modernization and active maritime enforcement. In a recent high-level meeting, PCG officials met with representatives from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the UAE Embassy, and EDGE Group to discuss fleet enhancement and capability development.

The discussions focused on addressing operational needs, technical expertise, infrastructure support, and potential financing mechanisms to support the PCG’s long-term modernization goals and ensure a secure maritime environment. Further coordination is expected to align the PCG’s priority requirements with feasible areas of collaboration.

Simultaneously, the PCG, alongside the Philippine Navy and Philippine Marine Corps, conducted an enforcement operation near Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group, Palawan. Personnel successfully repelled five unauthorized foreign fishing vessels from the area.

According to PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, the vessels were sighted within the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea of Kota Island. The unauthorized fishing activities violated the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. Following radio challenges and the deployment of PCG rubber boats, all five vessels withdrew from the territorial sea.