Large Japanese Coast Guard vessel arrives in Philippines

A Japanese Cost Guard (JCG) vessel has arrived in Manila’s South Harbor for the conduct of 6th Joint Maritime Law Enforcement (MARLEN) Exercise together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the PCG said.

The Japanese vessel is a class of Patrol Vessel Large with Helicopter, PLH02 Tsugaru.

The Philippines, Japan coast guards joint maritime law enforcement exercise will be conducted on July 13 at vicinity waters off Manila Bay. The exercise will focus on combating piracy and armed robbery at sea.

PCG Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command together with other government law enforcement agencies and representatives from Malaysia, Australia and United States will be coming as observers.

PLh02 Tsugaru will participate in the activity with its embarked assets including a Bell-412 helicopter and rigid hull inflatable boat for board, search and seizure procedure. The PCG will also deploy its floating and air assets to take part in the joint exercise, PCG said.

“The event aims to further enhance the capabilities of PCG and JCG to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea, to acquire knowledge and skills in conducting airlift rescue operations, and to established friendship and mutual understanding between JCG and PCG and other Law Enforcement Agencies,” the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Source and image: UPDATE.PH