Coast guard and fishery officials from the Philippines, United States, Vietnam, and Indonesia participated in a joint maritime law enforcement training in Mindanao. The exercise focused on vessel boarding and arrest techniques, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation and address maritime security concerns in the face of escalating tensions with China.
Coast guard and fishery officials from the Philippines , United States, Vietnam , and Indonesia engaged in a joint maritime law enforcement training exercise, honing their vessel boarding and arrest techniques. This two-week intensive course, held on the island of Mindanao, aims to bolster regional cooperation in law enforcement amidst growing concerns over potential maritime conflicts with China .
The training comes as a direct response to frequent clashes and tense standoffs between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the strategically vital waterway, as well as recent incidents involving Vietnamese and Indonesian vessels. Commander Rejard Marfe of the Philippine Coast Guard District, in a statement released by the US Embassy, emphasized the commitment of participating nations to maintaining a peaceful, secure, and prosperous maritime environment. Marfe hailed the January 13-24 training as 'invaluable' in equipping regional forces to effectively address maritime threats, although the statement refrained from explicitly mentioning China.The training encompassed a wide range of essential maritime law enforcement skills, including safe vessel boarding procedures at sea, maritime law compliance, evidence collection and preservation techniques, safety and risk mitigation strategies, and arrest protocols. The program also attracted observers from the Australian Border Force, who gained valuable insights into the collaborative efforts. China's assertive naval expansion in recent years, aimed at extending its influence in the Pacific and challenging the existing US-led alliance system, has fueled these regional security concerns.China's actions in the South China Sea have been particularly contentious. In recent months, Chinese navy and coast guard vessels have been deployed to block the Philippines from accessing strategically important reefs and islands, raising tensions further. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, accused Beijing of a 'brutal' attack in October, claiming that 10 Vietnamese fishermen were beaten with iron bars and robbed of thousands of dollars worth of fish and equipment. Similarly, Indonesia reported driving away a Chinese coast guard ship from contested waters in the South China Sea on three separate occasions within a week. The initial training program was funded by the US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The US Embassy stated that the INL-US Coast Guard training course featured instructors from the US-trained Philippine Coast Guard, the US Coast Guard, and Vietnam Customs, who provided comprehensive instruction to participants on safely conducting vessel boardings at sea.Thirty-two participants from diverse agencies, including 20 members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, along with representatives from the Vietnam Coast Guard, Vietnam Customs Anti-Smuggling and Investigations Department, Vietnam Department of Fisheries Surveillance, and the Indonesia Coast Guard, attended the training event. The Australian Border Force also observed the first week of the training activities. Lt. Dana Schmitt, the USCG Team Lead, expressed enthusiasm for the professional development demonstrated by both the multinational instructor group and the student participants. She commended their dedication to mastering both the technical aspects of the course and fostering seamless collaboration to enhance the overall training experience.The US Embassy highlighted that previous Southeast Asia Training Team courses had been successfully conducted in Palawan in May 2023, La Union in November 2023, and Cebu in May 2024.
Maritime Security China Southeast Asia Philippines Vietnam Indonesia US Coast Guard Training
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Southeast Asian Agriculture Expert Challenges Students to Reimagine FarmingSearca Director Glenn Gregorio inspires LPU-Laguna students to explore agriculture as a dynamic and rewarding career path.
Read more »
Philippine Air Force Mourns Death of Southeast Asian Games Gold Medalist Mervin GuarteMervin Guarte, a gold medalist at the Southeast Asian Games and a member of the Philippine Air Force, was tragically killed in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. The Philippine Air Force expressed deep condolences and pledged full support to Guarte's family. The incident is currently under investigation by the Calapan City Police. Guarte's athletic achievements included multiple SEA Games gold medals and a national record in the 4x800m relay.
Read more »
US Embassy set to host bootcamp for Southeast Asian content creatorsThe U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, in partnership with Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative, are inviting emerging digital content creators in
Read more »
Southeast Asian Content Creators Invited to YSEALI Media Literacy WorkshopThe U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative are offering a bootcamp for digital creators in Southeast Asia to enhance their media literacy and content creation skills.
Read more »
US Embassy Hosts Media Literacy Bootcamp for Southeast Asian CreatorsThe US Embassy in the Philippines is partnering with Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative to offer a 'Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp for Digital Creators' workshop from April to June. This program aims to equip young content creators with essential skills for media literacy, content creation, and navigating the digital landscape.
Read more »
Southeast Asian Ports Face Operational Challenges Despite Cargo Volume GrowthS&P Global Market Intelligence reports that major Southeast Asian ports experienced a decline in operational performance during the third quarter of 2024, despite an overall increase in container movement and larger average vessel calls. The report highlights a mixed picture of higher throughput volumes and reduced vessel traffic, with operational efficiency weakening overall.
Read more »