Philippine Coast Guard

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Philippine Coast Guard
Hukbong Bantay Dagat ng Pilipinas
Guardia Costera del Filipinas
PCG katc.png
Coat of Arms of the Philippine Coast Guard
Founded October 7, 1901
Country Philippines
Type Coast Guard
Role Maritime Law enforcement, Border control
Part of Department of Transportation and Communications, Armed Forces of the Philippines
Garrison/HQ Port Area, Manila
Motto "Saving Lives"
Mascot Dolphin
Website www.coastguard.gov.ph
Commanders
Commandant Vice Admiral Rodolfo D. Isorena

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) (Filipino: Hukbong Bantay Dagat ng Pilipinas) is an armed and uniformed service primarily tasked with enforcing laws within the Philippine waters, conducting maritime security operations, safeguarding life and property at sea, and protecting the marine environment and resources. similar to coast guards around the world.

It is an attached agency of Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines. Currently, it is present throughout the archipelago, with twelve Coast Guard districts, fifty-four CG stations and over one hundred ninety CG detachments, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.[1]


Contents

Units [edit]

The Philippine Coast Guard's major units include the Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command (MSLEC) [formerly known as the Coast Guard Operating Forces (CGOF)], Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM), Maritime Safety Services Command (MSSC) [formerly knokwn as Aids to Navigation Command (ANC)], and the Coast Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC). Among the PCG's special units are the Coast Guard Fleet, Coast Guard Aviation Group, Coast Guard Special Operations Group, and the CG K-9 Unit. The PCG used to be under the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but is now fully under civilian authority under the Department of Transportation & Communication.

Due to an increase in terrorist attacks, the PCG activated the Task Force Sea Marshals, a composite team from the PCG, AFP and Philippine National Police. These Sea Marshals ride on many passenger ferries traveling to and from Manila, and maintain a security presence aboard these ferries.

Coast Guard Air Group [edit]

The Coast Guard Air Group (CGAG) was formally activated on 18 May 1998 during the incumbency of Commodore Manuel de Leon as Commandant, PCG. Accordingly, Commander Noel Monte was designated as its first Commander holding office at the former PADC Hangar Nr. 3, Domestic Airport Complex, Pasay City.

On 22 January 1999, after eight months of existence, CGAG acquired its first aircraft, a BN Islander from the Philippine National Oil Company – Energy Development Corporation (PNOC – EDC). After six months intensive inspection and rehabilitation, it was commissioned into Coast Guard service on 26 June 1999 as PCG–251. On June 1999, the first helicopter, a MBB Bo 105CB was acquired from PADC and was commissioned with the tail number PCG–1636. Another aircraft, a Cessna 421B "Golden Eagle" was acquired without cost from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management sometime in the early part of 2000. However, due to budgetary constraint, the aircraft rehabilitation was not yet completed up to this date. In the same year, another BN Islander with the tail number PCG–684 was acquired. It was commissioned and activated on June 2002 after it underwent rehabilitation. On 30 March 2001, the helm of the CGAG was transferred to Captain Lino Darbi. In search for a bigger home for its growing inventory, on 21 November 2002, with the support of the SOTC, Pantaleon Alvarez, the Manila International Airport Authority allowed CGAG to occupy this present location. Extensive renovation works were undertaken to make the hangar suitable to be called the nerve center of all Coast Guard Air Operations. On 28 March 2003, the CGAG acquired another Bo 105C helicopter from PADC, aircraft carriers PSN-234 and was commissioned into the service as PCG–145, and PCG-192 during the Group’s 5th Founding Anniversary.

With the intense need to have the capability to extract survivors from water, the said helicopter was fitted with a rescue hoist through the courtesy from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Another significant milestone unfolded the history of the Group when the PCG leadership was turned over to Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan. Through the intense endorsement of the Commander, CGOF, Rear Admiral Damian Carlos in recognizing the importance of the air unit in coast guard operations and their outstanding accomplishments has granted the aviators their most aspired yearning for their career by approving the Group’s position paper on the Command Pilot Rating. This enables the aviators to have an equal opportunity with officers that acquired a Command at Sea Badge to assume position to higher responsibilities in the Coast Guard hierarchy. Today, the yoke of CGAG was entrusted to Commodore Aaron Reconquista.

Philippine Navy and Coast Guard personnels during an maritime boarding exercise

Special Operations Group [edit]

The Philippine Coast Guard's Special Operations Group (CGSOG) is the special forces unit of the Philippine Coast Guard. It is a domestic counter-terrorism and law enforcement unit directly under its control, particularly notable for their involvement in the aftermath of the 2004 SuperFerry 14 bombing.[2]

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary [edit]

Main article: Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian support group for the Philippine Coast Guard. Although a volunteer, civilian organization, the PCGA uses a military structure for organizational purposes. Like other volunteer sea rescue organizations around the world, it performs non-military and non-police activities in support of its national navy or coast guard. These endeavors include search and rescue, environmental protection, disaster relief, community service, and marine safety.

History [edit]

[icon] This section requires expansion. (November 2012)

The new Philippine Coast Guard law (RA 9993, the “Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009” [1]) established the guard as a distinct law enforcement identity (sui generis).

The PCG has been expanding its capabilities for the last 9 years. [3]

Ships in service [edit]

BRP San Juan (SARV-001)
BRP Ilocos Norte
Vessel Origin Builder Class Commissioned Notes
BRP Batangas (SARV 004)  Australia Tenix (San Juan Class , 56 meter) 2003 All 56 meter vessels equipped with helipad.[4]
BRP Pampanga (SARV 003)  Australia Tenix (San Juan Class , 56 meter) February 2003 [4] All 56 meter vessels equipped with helipad.
BRP EDSA II (SARV 002)  Australia Tenix (San Juan Class , 56 meter) October 2000 [4] All 56 meter vessels equipped with helipad.
BRP San Juan (SARV 001)  Australia Tenix (San Juan Class , 56 meter) June 2000 [4] All 56 meter vessels equipped with helipad.
BRP Davao del Norte (SARV 3504) [5]  Australia Tenix (Ilocos Norte Class, 35 meter) 2003
BRP Romblon (SARV 3503) [5]  Australia Tenix (Ilocos Norte Class, 35 meter) 2003
BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV 3502) [5]  Australia Tenix (Ilocos Norte Class, 35 meter) 2001
BRP Ilocos Norte (SARV 3501) [5]  Australia Tenix (Ilocos Norte Class, 35 meter) 2001
BRP Tirad Pass (AU-100) [5]  Japan unknown Bessang Pass-class SAR vessel [5] unknown
BRP Bessang Pass (AU-75) [5]  Japan unknown Bessang Pass-class SAR vessel unknown
BRP Corregidor (AE-891) [5]  Japan Niigata Engineering Corregidor-class navigational aid tender 3 February 1998 Lone ship of class
BRP Kalinga (AG-89) [5]  United States Marine Iron and SB Corp. ex-USCG Balsam-class navigational aid tender, USCGC Redbud (WLB-398) 1 March 1972 Refitted in Cavite Dockyard in Nov 1995.
BRP Limasawa (AE-79) [5]  United States Ingalls, Pascagoula, Mississippi ex U.S. Coast Guard navigational aid tender, USCGC Nettle (WAK-169) Loaned 9 January 1968, purchased 31 August 1978 Sister ship BRP Mangyan (AS-71) is in Philippine Navy.
BRP Palawan (PG-64) [5]  United States unknown unnamed (ex-US PGM-39 class) unknown Undergoing engine repair.
MT Tug Habagat (TB-271) [5] unknown unknown unknown unknown
  • Note: Some BFAR ships/boats are manned by PCG personnel.

Acquisitions [edit]

On 30 October 2012, it was announced in the media that the Philippines will buy five patrol boats from France for about 90 million euros ($116 million). Rear Admiral Luis Tuason, the chief of the coastguard, said one 82-metre (271-foot) ship and four 24-metre (79-foot) patrol craft would be delivered by 2014. [6]

During Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs visit to Philippines on January 2013, Minister Fumio Kishida underscored the role of Japan as Philippines' strategic ally. In the conference, he stressed that Japan will have to provide 10 patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard in a loan basis. [7][8]

Aircraft in service [edit]

Aircraft Country of Origin Quantity Notes
Britten-Norman Islander  United Kingdom 3 4 grounded [5]
MBB Bo 105  Germany 5
Eurocopter EC145  Germany 2 Delivery in 2012

Multi-purpose Maritime Helicopters [edit]

This acquisition project was a "priority". The helicopters have to be capable of multi-mission capability and autopilot. It must also have small ship take-off/landing capability, and must have twin engines and high payload. The helicopters will be the EC-145 of which 2 units have been purchased as of February 2012 and delivery is expected soon.[9][3]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Mission - Pulse of the Maritime Environment · Philippine Coast Guard — News
  2. ^ Number of missing passengers rises. Retrieved on June 21, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "PCG Planned Equipment Acquisitions". Timawa.net. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Status of the PCG Tenix boats". Timawa.net. Retrieved 2011-01-07. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "PCG ships". Timawa.net. Retrieved 2011-01-07. 
  6. ^ "Philippines to get five French patrol boats". AFP News. 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-10-30. 
  7. ^ "Acquisition of Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs)". www.neda.gov.ph. 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2012-11-30. 
  8. ^ "Budget for acquisition of Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs)". www.timawa.net. 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-11-29. 
  9. ^ http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/43251-Philippine-Coast-Guard-to-get-1,-2-Eurocopters-EC145-to-boost-search-and-rescue-operations.html

External links [edit]

 Republic of Korea Coast Guard
Republic of China Coast Guard
China Coast Guard
Vietnam People's Coast Guard		 Japan Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
  Philippine Coast Guard  
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Law enforcement in the Philippines
Flag of the Philippines
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