DAVAO CITY TO HOST JUNE 5 TO JUNE 8 EVENT

Asean Coast Guard Forum eyes stronger cooperation

/ 05:45 AM June 04, 2024

This photo taken on February 16, 2024 shows a rigid hull inflatable boat leaving a Chinese coast guard vessel near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines on February 17 accused Chinese coast guard vessels of "dangerous" manoeuvres for attempting to block a Filipino vessel dropping supplies to fishermen at a reef off the Southeast Asian nation's coast. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

This photo taken on February 16, 2024 shows a rigid hull inflatable boat leaving a Chinese coast guard vessel near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines on February 17 accused Chinese coast guard vessels of “dangerous” maneuvers for attempting to block a Filipino vessel dropping supplies to fishermen at a reef off the Southeast Asian nation’s coast. —photo by Ted Aljibe/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are holding a coast guard and maritime law enforcement forum to discuss the strengthening of cooperation among them, especially in the South China Sea where claimants have overlapping claims.

“This will serve as a way for the entire Asean region to have one voice on various challenges about freedom of navigation,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo told reporters on Monday.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: China Coast Guard seizes PH supplies for Ayungin

FEATURED STORIES

The Asean Coast Guard Forum will be held in Davao City from June 5 to June 8. Also part of the agenda are ways to address drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy and the entry of weapons of mass destruction in the region, Balilo said.

READ: Marcos slams China Coast Guard detention threat

Article continues after this advertisement

He added that there would likewise be an information sharing session and a declaration of cooperation in protecting marine resources in Southeast Asia.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Asean member states include the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Article continues after this advertisement

The PCG District Southeastern Mindanao will lead the security preparations for the event, Balilo said. One of its largest ships, the BRP Gabriela Silang, together with the PCG Special Operations Force, K-9 Force quick response teams were already placed on standby, he said.

At the House of Representatives, Deputy Minority Leader France Castro urged the government to work with its Southeast Asian neighbors to protect the region against China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.

Article continues after this advertisement

Aside from the Philippines, the other Asean countries claiming part of the South China Sea are Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. —with a report from Jeannette I. Andrade

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: ASEAN, West Philippine Sea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2025 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.