Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) reaffirmed their longstanding partnership as the KCG training ship "BADARO" 3011 departed Manila on Thursday after a four-day port visit.
According to Philippines News Agency, the visit, which ran from September 14 to 17, aimed to strengthen maritime cooperation and friendly relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. PCG and KCG Academy personnel participated in joint training on Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), smuggling, search and rescue, and firefighting.
The program also included separate emergency response training covering basic concepts, equipment, artificial respiration, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as an academic exchange and friendly activities. The KCG delegation, led by ship commander Superintendent Lee Yong-ki, conducted a courtesy visit to the PCG and toured BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) and the PCG Command Center.
The visit continued the longstanding engagement between the two coast guards, following the ship's previous port visits to Manila in 2018, 2019, and 2024. The PCG expressed its appreciation to the KCG and the KCG Academy for the successful port visit and the exchanges shared throughout the engagement. The two agencies said they will continue to strengthen their partnership through ship visits, training, academic exchanges, and other cooperative activities in support of maritime security and friendly relations between the two countries.
In a separate statement on Friday, the PCG said Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan welcomed Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Director Navarro Moore during a courtesy call at the National Headquarters in Port Area, Manila on September 11. The engagement focused on strengthening institutional cooperation and continuing areas of support for PCG operations and capability development, including the Command and Admiral Staff College, the expansion of Port Buliluyan as a vessel support facility, and other potential port development initiatives.
Discussions also covered force readiness through the development of the Fleet Education, Training and Doctrine Development Institute, including training simulators, as well as potential cooperation in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). The PCG and INL reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing operational and force readiness, and developing sustainable capabilities in support of the country's maritime security and law enforcement objectives.
