THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is sending one of its largest vessels to Japan to take part in a maritime exercise with the coast guards of Japan and United States.
BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9071) is due to be sent off on Friday from Pier 13 in Port Area, Manila during rites to be presided over by PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan.
BRP Magbanua has seen action in the West Philippine Sea in the South China, protecting the country’s interests in the contested area. It has been subjected to harassment by Chinese Coast Guard vessels, including ramming near Escoda Shoal in August last year and dangerous maneuvers near Scarborough Shoal in February last year.
The 97-meter vessel is scheduled to arrive at Kagoshima Port on June 12, the PCG said. BRP Teresa Magbanua will then undergo a three-day maintenance and repair work. On June 16, there will be a reception ceremony for the vessel and a US Coast Guard (USCG) ship on June 16.
“From 16 to 20 June 2025, the PCG, USCG, and JCG (Japan Coast Guard) will conduct facility tours, mutual visits to patrol vessels, maritime exercise meetings, and capacity-building exercises,” the PCG said in a statement.
This is the second trilateral maritime exercise among the coast guards of the three nations. The first was held in Mariveles, Bataan on June 1 to 7, 2023.
The PCG recognized the “significant contributions” of the Japan and US coast guards “in improving the skills and expertise of its men and women through various human resource development programs.”
“Through the second trilateral maritime exercise, the PCG envisions stronger collaboration and deeper diplomatic relations with its Coast Guard counterparts, as well as the exploration of more avenues for maritime cooperation towards a rules-based order,” the PCG said.
It said the participation of BRP Teresa Magbanua in the exercise is anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for the PCG to “engage in capacity-building initiatives that promote cooperation, understanding, and mutual trust among Coast Guard counterparts.”
