Philippine Coast Guard

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Philippine Coast Guard
Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas
Image:PCG.jpg
Coat of Arms of the Philippine Coast Guard
Founded October 7, 1901
Country Republic of the Philippines
Type Coast Guard
Role Maritime Law enforcement, Border control
Part of Department of Transportation and Communications
Garrison/HQ Port Area, Manila
Motto "Safer ships, cleaner seas"
Mascot Dolphin
Commanders
Commandant Admiral Danilo A. Abinoja
Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group operator boards "suspect" civilian cargo ship in training exercises with the Japan Coast Guard in Manila Bay in 2006.
Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group operator boards "suspect" civilian cargo ship in training exercises with the Japan Coast Guard in Manila Bay in 2006.
Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group operators open fire on "armed terrorists" in an exercise with the Japan Coast Guard during a joint exercise on June 15, 2007.
Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group operators open fire on "armed terrorists" in an exercise with the Japan Coast Guard during a joint exercise on June 15, 2007.

The Philippine Coast Guard (Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas) is a maritime law enforcement agency operating under the Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines.

The PCG is involved in the broader enforcement of maritime laws in the country, especially against smuggling, illegal fishing and drug trafficking. It is also involved in maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions, as well as the protection of marine environment. Currently, it is present throughout the archipelago, with ten Coast Guard districts, fifty-four CG stations and over one hundred ninety CG detachments, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Contents

[edit] Units

The Philippine Coast Guard's major units include the Coast Guard Operating Forces (CGOF), Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM), Aids to Navigation Command (ANC) and the Coast Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC). Among the PCG's special units are the Coast Guard Fleet, Coast Guard Aviation Group, Coast Guard Special Operations Group, and the CG K-9 Unit. The PCG used to be under the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but is now fully under civilian authority under the Department of Transportation & Communication.

Due to an increase in terrorist attacks, the PCG activated the Task Force Sea Marshals, a composite team from the PCG, AFP and Philippine National Police. These Sea Marshals ride on many passenger ferries traveling to and from Manila, and maintain a security presence aboard these ferries. The unit is headed by the Commandant, Admiral Danilo A. Abinoja and his two Vice Commandants; Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo and Rear Admiral Ramon Liwag.

[edit] Special Operations Group

The Philippine Coast Guard's Special Operations Group is the special forces unit of the Philippine Coast Guard. It is a domestic counter-terrorism and law enforcement unit directly under its control, particularly notable for their involvement in the aftermath of the 2004 SuperFerry 14 bombing.[1]

[edit] Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian support group for the Philippine Coast Guard. Although a volunteer, civilian organization, the PCGA uses a military structure for organizational purposes. Like other volunteer sea rescue organizations around the world, it performs non-military and non-police activities in support of its national navy or coast guard. These endeavors include search and rescue, environmental protection, disaster relief, community service, and marine safety.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Number of missing passengers rises. Retrieved on June 21, 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links