Lawmakers expressed support for Coast Guard modernization — PCG 

Legislators have backed the Philippine Coast Guard in its efforts to push for the agency's modernization, a PCG official said Saturday.
 
“The Commandant [PCG Admiral] Artemio Abu has already received support from various lawmakers—senators and even congressmen—expressing their support for Coast Guard modernization and also helping us receive additional funds to sustain our patrol in the West Philippine Sea,” PCG adviser for maritime security Commodore Jay Tarriela told reporters on the sidelines of the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
 
During the forum, Tarriela stressed the need to modernize the PCG amid Chinese aggression in the waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

On February 6, the PCG said a Chinese ship pointed a “military-grade” laser light at one of its vessels, BRP Malapascua, near Ayungin Shoal.
 
The laser-pointing incident prompted the Philippines to lodge a diplomatic protest against China.
 
Defending its coast guard's action, Beijing accused the PCG vessel of intruding into the waters off Ren'ai Reef (Ayungin) "without Chinese permission." China virtually claims the South China Sea in its entirety.
 
Tarriela said the PCG needs funds for infrastructure, such as berthing areas.

“We do not have our own headquarters… these are the priorities that we need to have under the leadership of our commandant,” he said.
 
“Secondly, berthing spaces where the Philippine Coast Guard can put multi-billion peso assets,” he added.
 
The PCG official said the Coast Guard needs a modernization law “so we can program those acquisitions, heighten our patrol, and build our radars.”  — VBL, GMA Integrated News