PH, US, Japan coast guards to join exercise in Kagoshima from June 16 to 20

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said the BRP Teresa Magbanua will join the second trilateral maritime exercise with the United States and Japan off Kagoshima City waters from June 16 to 20.

In a statement, the PCG said a send-off ceremony for BRP Teresa Magbanua will be held at Pier 13, Port Area, Manila on Friday.

“The 97-meter Coast Guard vessel is expected to arrive at Kagoshima Port on 12 June 2025,” the PCG said.

“It will undergo a three-day maintenance and repair, followed by the reception ceremony for BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9071) on 16 June 2025,” the PCG added.

The PCG, US Coast Guard (USCG), and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) will participate in facility tours, mutual visits to patrol vessels, maritime exercise meetings, and capacity-building exercises. 

According to the PCG, the USCG and JCG helped in improving the skills and expertise of Filipino personnel through different human resource development programs. 

The activity is expected to result in a stronger collaboration and deeper diplomatic relations between the three coast guards, according to the PCG.

Aside from this, the PCG is also looking forward to exploration of more avenues for maritime cooperation towards a rules-based order after the trilateral maritime exercise.

The PCG said these efforts are anchored on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to engage in capacity-building initiatives that promote cooperation, understanding, and mutual trust among counterparts. — Joviland Rita/RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News