A TOTAL of five buoys or markers were successfully placed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at the West Philippine Sea last week that will serve as guide to ships and fisherfolk in navigating the country’s exclusive economic zone.
According to the PCG, each buoy were placed near Lawak Island, Likas Island, and Parola Island.
Two buoys, on the other hand, were placed near Pag-asa Island.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said that no tension was experienced in the holding of the activity, where the China Coast Guard was also observing and monitoring the event.
“Five naval craft of the Coast Guard were there. They were there for one week. My guidance to them was to get ahead of them, be the ones to challenge them first. So what happened? We were the ones who challenged first, and they did not reply,” Abu said.
The PCG will conduct arrival honors on Wednesday for the Coast Guard task force that successfully installed the buoys along the West Philippine Sea.
Abu also said that PCG ships will participate in the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022 in Indonesia to be held on May 22 up to May 29, 2022.
The event will test the oil spill response capabilities of the coast guards of the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
The newest and biggest multi-response vessel of the PCG, the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), will be part of MARPOLEX 2022.
The other naval vessels of the PCG that will also take part in the exercise are the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411).