PCG joining marine pollution exercises this month

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will send four vessels to take part in the Regional Maritime Pollution Exercise or MARPOLEX 2022 with counterparts from Indonesia and Japan.

The PCG will send off its ships Teresa Magbanua, Gabriela Silang, Malapascua and Cape Engaño for this year’s MARPOLEX, which will be held in Makassar, Indonesia from May 22 to 29.

The Directorate of Sea Transportation of Indonesia and the Japan Coast Guard will also participate in the maritime exercises.

PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the participating countries would be able to assess their oil spill response capabilities during the exercise.

“They will also enhance cooperation and capability in firefighting, rescue and oil spill recovery operations,” Abu said.

In July 2019, the Philippines hosted MARPOLEX in Davao City.