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GMA Network
4 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
PCG honors BRP Suluan crew for bravery after Bajo de Masinloc incident
Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan (right) on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 confers medals on the crew of the BRP Suluan for the bravery they showed after facing harassment from Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea on Monday. The ceremony was held at Pier 15 of South Harbor in Manila. PCG The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday recognized the bravery of the crew of BRP Suluan after facing harassment from Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc on Monday. In a statement, the PCG said the awarding ceremony was led by Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan at Pier 15 in Port Area, Manila. Gavan lauded the bravery, selfless dedication, and sacrifices of PCG personnel in upholding safety and security within the Philippine territory. He also honored the efforts of the West Philippine Sea Group in handling the information operation and coordination during the maritime patrol. "You have proven that indeed we are the most durable point man in keeping the peace at sea," Gavan said "Bravo Zulu, everyone. There are lots of things to do, but always keep in mind that what you've done, you should always remain calm, you should always remain professional yet unyielding in the face of whoever they are," he added. The 43 individuals onboard BRP Suluan include the members of the following groups: Coast Guard Medical Service (CGMED), Maritime Surveillance Team (MST2), Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF), Angels of the Sea from the Coast Guard Weapons, Communications, Electronics and Information System Command (CGWCEISC), media representatives from GMA Network, and personnel from the Coast Guard Public Affairs Service (CGPAS). On Monday, the PCG as well as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) headed to Bajo de Masinloc to distribute aid to local fishermen as part of the Kadiwa program. However, several Chinese vessels harassed Philippine vessels by using water cannon, performing dangerous maneuvers, and shadowing. The PCG said People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) 164 and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 collided while they were chasing PCG's BRP Suluan. The CCG vessel sustained substantial damage, rendering it unseaworthy, according to the PCG. Meanwhile, the flagpole of the PCG vessel was also damaged. President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday said Philippine assets would never back out. ''We have never instructed any of our vessels to back out,'' Marcos said at a press briefing. ''Never, never. But we have to always – we do not back out because natakot tayo, umatras tayo. Alam mo, I don't know about other places, pero dito sa – dito sa gobyernong ito, hindi tayo umaatras sa laban (We do not back out just because we are scared. In this government, we will not back out.),'' he added. ''We don't – we don't… We are brave. Filipinos are brave,'' the President said. Marcos said the country's uniformed personnel have been doing their duty and mission of defending the Philippines, noting that ''we will not stop doing it.'' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday stressed China's claim to the WPS, saying that it had to do what was 'necessary to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law.' 'The Philippines' moves seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and rights and interests, and seriously harmed peace and stability at sea. These moves are of a malign nature,' the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. 'China urges the Philippines to stop the infringement and provocative activities at once and refrain from challenging China's firm resolve to safeguard our lawful rights and interests,' he added. Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It is also referred to as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PCG to acquire 40 units of fast patrol craft from France
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said 40 units of 35-meter fast patrol craft will be acquired from French shipbuilding company OCEA to expand its operations amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement, the PCG said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the French shipbuilding company signed the contract on Thursday. 'As part of the PCG Modernization Program, the agreement formalized the acquisition of 40 high-speed multi-role vessels, which are expected to enhance the PCG's maritime presence and rapid response capabilities nationwide,' the PCG said. The acquisition of new assets is done through a government-to-government financing agreement under the Agreement on Financial and Development Cooperation (AFDC) between the Philippines and France. PCG chief Admiral Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the high-speed vessels promote self-reliance in naval shipbuilding as 20 of the 40 units of FPC will be constructed locally. This will help the domestic maritime industry, jobs creation, and technology transfer, Gavan said. According to the PCG, the acquisition of fast patrol craft is supported by a nine-year Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) plan to ensure sustained operational readiness and long-term asset maintenance. With these assets, the PCG said the responses to maritime threats like illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy, and maritime terrorism will be faster and more effective. The interoperability of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and international partners will also improve. These assets will also serve as rapid deployment platforms for rescue, relief, and emergency operations during natural disasters and maritime incidents. 'These assets will be utilized to advance President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr's directive to the PCG to expand its operations amid complex maritime challenges, such as the growing maritime traffic, rising incidents of illegal activities at sea, and tensions in the WPS,' the PCG said. The contract signing ceremony was graced by French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, DOTr Secretary Vivencio Dizon, PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan PCG, and OCEA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Roland Joassard. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
