Manila: Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Wednesday called on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to include a course on Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act in its training program for new recruits to strengthen their understanding of maritime issues, particularly the West Philippine Sea (WPS) conflict.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino emphasized the need for new recruits to go beyond basic training and physical drills by undergoing a crash course on the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. He conveyed this to PCG spokesperson Commodore Algier Ricafrente during his radio program, highlighting the importance of this knowledge in addressing challenges like foreign ship incursions in the WPS. Tolentino underscored the PCG’s critical role not only in safeguarding the country’s territory but also in protecting the livelihood of fisherfolk and sea travelers.

The Maritime Zones Act defines the extent and bounds of the country’s maritime domain, which Tolentino said should also be recognized by the international community. Ricafrente welcomed the suggestion, noting that 4,000 new recruits are set to significantly boost the PCG’s current force of 35,000 personnel. He mentioned that these recruits are set to be deployed to various regional offices.