Coast Guard representatives from the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia converged in Bacolod City yesterday for the four-day Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2024 to showcase their efforts in maritime safety and environmental protection.
During the arrival ceremony, Japan Coast Guard’s PLH 02 Tsugaru and Indonesia Directorate General for Sea Transportation’s KN Trisula P.111 docked at the Bredco Port, joining the BRP Gabriela Silang of the Philippine Coast Guard.
In his welcome remarks, Captain Weniel Azcuna, commander of Coast Guard District Western Visayas, said through the MARPOLEX 2024, the three countries “come together as a united front to advance collaborative efforts in marine pollution response and maritime safety.”
“To our colleagues from the Japan Coast Guard and the Indonesian Coast Guard, your active participation exemplifies our strong and enduring partnership. Your expertise, experience and dedication are invaluable assets that will significantly contribute to the success of this exercise,” he added.
The commanding officers of the participating vessels are Captain Lawrence Roque of BRP Gabriela Silang, Captain Mori Naoki of PLH 02 Tsugaru, and Captain Satria Aji Yudha of KN Trisula P.111.
“Let us seize this opportunity to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration and inspire innovative solutions that will further strengthen efforts in safeguarding our precious marine resources,” Roque said.
Yudha said he is looking forward to a successful MARPOLEX 2024 as Indonesia’s Coast Guard shares their experience with the other participants, while Naoki said the Japan Coast Guard is honored to participate in the regional marine pollution exercise.
Representatives from each country will participate in exercises in search and rescue, firefighting, oil spill recovery, equipment recovery, and damage assessment.
After the declaration of the start of the exercise on Tuesday, June 25, the exercise proper will be held on Wednesday, June 26, while the closing ceremony will take place on Thursday night, June 27.
Observers from the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Vietnam are also part of this year’s marine pollution exercise.
The MARPOLEX 2024 is in line with the provisions of the Sulawesi Oil Spill Response Network Plan 1981 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Oil Spill Contingency 2018. (PNA)