Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, has lauded the professionalism displayed by his uniformed personnel who were tasked to guide the ‘Atin Ito’ coalition in its second civilian supply mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) this week.
Gavan deployed two PCG vessels—BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Panglao (FPB-2402)—to escort four Filipino fishing vessels (FFVs) that were part of the humanitarian initiative. The Coast Guard Aviation Command also dispatched an aerial asset to conduct maritime surveillance.
“Our men and women ensured the safety and security of approximately 160 passengers and crew of the FFV John, FFV Aguian, FFV Paty, FFV Bing Bing, as well as local and foreign media partners who documented the civilian supply mission on board our Coast Guard ships,” Gavan said.
“They exercised utmost professionalism in conducting radio challenges and upheld the rule of law amid shadowing incidents with several China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels,” he added.
Between May 15 to 16, BRP Bagacay reported at least three CCG vessels with bow numbers 4108, 4109, and 4203 that shadowed the ‘Atin Ito’ flotilla.
The 44-meter PCG vessel also sighted China Navy PLA-N 668, CNS Qujing, with an estimated distance of 4.6 nautical miles, but continued to exercise diplomacy in dealing with the foreign ships during the entire mission. Qujing is a Type 056 corvette of the PLA-Navy.
“As their Commandant, I take pride in witnessing how the best Coast Guard service prevailed within our exclusive economic zone,” Gavan said, acknowledging the PCG’s role in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the civilian supply mission.
The four FFVs of the ‘Atin Ito’ flotilla safely arrived in Subic, Zambales on Thursday, May 16, with all of its passengers and crew in good physical condition.
BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Panglao (FPB-2402) arrived at Port Area, Manila at around 8AM this Friday, May 17.
“Once again, (the) Coast Guardians proved that we are always prepared. Rest assured we will continue to support the direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in ensuring the safety of Filipinos at sea and in protecting our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea,” Gavan said further.
