The Philippine Coast Guard is eyeing to intensify its law enforcement operations through the deployment of PCG maritime security groups in six critical regions across the country.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan gave the order during a send-off ceremony at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila.
PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations, CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr, announced the deployment of 110 PCG personnel to compose the Maritime Security Law Enforcement Groups (MARSLEGs) in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Southwestern Mindanao.
“We reaffirm our commitment to working together to uphold the highest standards of maritime security and ensure the territorial integrity of our country,” Punzalan said.
For his part, Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC) Commander, CG Vice Admiral Robert Patrimonio, shared the MARSLEGs are tasked to strengthen maritime security drive and ensure the smooth flow of maritime economics within the Philippine domestic waters.
“The MARSLEGs will augment and intensify our fight against human trafficking, illegal fishing activities, drugs and arms smuggling, and other maritime infringements within the municipal waters,” Patrimonio said.
“We have initially identified these six critical regions due to high maritime traffic and high reports of maritime security incidents,” he added.
Specifically, the MARSLEGs will supervise and implement laws, policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations pertaining to the security law enforcement on sea transport and maritime infrastructures in the country.
Each MARSLEG is composed of highly trained PCG personnel from the Coast Guard K9 Force; Coast Guard Security and Border Protection Force; Coast Guard Investigation and Detection Force; Coast Guard Surface Patrol Force, and Coast Guard Sea Marshall Force.
The MARSLEC commander said they will expand deployment to cover other regions within the year.