US Coast Guard trains with Filipino counterparts in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — US and Philippine Coast Guards began a joint skills training yesterday to enhance marksman-observer and maritime tactical maneuver capability in Mindanao, the PCG reported here.

The four-week Precision Marksman-Observer Skills Training (PMOST) and Maritime Tactical Skills Course (MTSC) were launched in a ceremony at Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in Bagong Calarian.

Commodore Marco Antonio Gines, Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao commander and Lt. Eric Fush of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) led the ceremonies.

Gines said the capability skills training would have 58 participants – all elite personnel from the PCG Special Operation Force and USCG.

He said 16 site coast guard personnel would undergo the PMOST from Jan. 20 to 31 while the remaining 42 would take the MTSC from Feb. 3 to 21 in the waters of southern Philippines.

Gines said the training aims to improve operational capabilities and prepare coast guard personnel for high-risk scenarios as well as foster collaborative ties with the USCG.

The capability training in high-risk scenarios came as the PCG intensified its maritime security in the West Philippine Sea, amid continuous operations of the China Coast Guard within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.