Philippine Coast Guard

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Philippine Coast Guard
Tanúrang Baybayin ng Pilipinas
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
Garrison/HQ Port Area, Manila
Motto "Safer ships, cleaner seas"
Mascot Dolphin
Website www.coastguard.gov.ph
Commanders
Commandant Admiral Ramon C. Liwag

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) (Filipino: Tanúrang Baybayin ng Pilipinas) (TBP) is a maritime law enforcement agency operating under the Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines.

The PCG is involved in the broader enforcement of maritime laws in the country, especially against smuggling, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and piracy. It is also involved in maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions, as well as the protection of the marine environment. Currently, it is present throughout the archipelago, with ten Coast Guard districts, fifty-four CG stations and over one hundred ninety CG detachments, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.[1]

Currently, the new Philippine Coast Guard Act or otherwise known as Senate Bill No. 3389,[2] is under deliberation at the Philippine Senate which will further strengthen the mandate of the PCG.

Contents

[edit] Units

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.

[edit] Coast Guard Air Group

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.

[edit] Special Operations Group

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.[3]

[edit] 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.

[edit] Ships in service

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. unnamed (ex-USCG Balsam-class navigational aid tender) November 1995 Refitted in Cavite Dockyard in 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] unknown 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.

[edit] Aircraft

Aircraft Country of Origin Quantity Notes
Britten-Norman Islander  United Kingdom 3 1 grounded [5]
MBB Bo 105  Germany

[edit] Modernization

The PCG has been expanding its capabilities for the last 9 years. [6]

[edit] Multi-purpose Maritime Helicopters

This acquisition project was a "priority". The helicopters have to be capable of multi-mission capabality and autopilot. It must also have small ship take-off/landing capability, and must have twin engines and high payload. The helicopters will be EC-145s[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mission - Pulse of the Maritime Environment · Philippine Coast Guard — News
  2. ^ http://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=14&q=SBN-3389
  3. ^ Number of missing passengers rises. Retrieved on June 21, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d "Status of the PCG Tenix boats". Timawa.net. http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=9995.30. Retrieved 2011-01-07. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "PCG ships". Timawa.net. http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=5125.0. Retrieved 2011-01-07. 
  6. ^ a b "PCG Planned Equipment Acquisitions". Timawa.net. http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=14509.30. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 

[edit] External links

Law enforcement in the Philippines
Flag of the Philippines
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