US leads anti-terrorism naval exercises in WPS

MANILA, Philippines – The United States led several Asian nations in the final stretch of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training Exercise (SEACAT) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), a maritime training designed to enhance interoperability among participants on anti-maritime terrorism operations.

Photo from Philippine Coast Guard

The drills were conducted outside Subic Bay, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Capt. Arman Balilo said on Monday.

The PCG deployed BRP Batangas (SARV-004) and six of its floating assets as part of the quick response team for the exercise.

The whole-day training focused on a realistic scenario, wherein participants carried out identification, tracking, boarding and search operations on a suspicious vessel, Balilo said.

It was likewise a test of the collaboration and coordinated sharing of data among maritime centers in the region.

The Coast Guards of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Cambodia also took part in the exercises. /gsg