THE TEN member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to meet in a Coast Guard and Maritime Law Enforcement Forum on June 5 to 8 to be held in Davao City.
CGDSEM chief of staff Lt Commander Angel Tobias, said the initiative aims to strengthen cooperation toward regional security. The forum came on the heels of the recent defense summit in Singapore attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Tobias said the unity of the ten countries will be discussed in the Davao City meeting, especially the fight against drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy, as well as the entry of weapons of mass destruction.
Information sharing and expression of cooperation to protect Southeast Asia’s marine resources will also be conducted.
In addition, the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum aims to expand relations among its members, particularly on safety and security in the West Philippine Sea.
She said this would serve as a way for the entire ASEAN region to have a single voice and call for the various trials and dangers in free navigation.
According to PCG Spokesperson, CG Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, the regular conduct of such a forum is important to discuss the plans, actions, and operations of various maritime law enforcement agencies in the ASEAN region towards maintaining security and order in the vast waters of Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao is ready to host the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum.
The BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) is already at Davao Port with Coast Guard personnel from the Coast Guard Special Operations Force and Coast Guard K9 Force on board.
PCG quick response teams are also on standby to ensure the safety of all participants from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand.
