PH, Germany agree to boost maritime cooperation — PCG

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Thursday. Baerbock is on an official visit to the country from January 11 to 12. (Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Germany have agreed to bolster their cooperation in maritime affairs, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said on Friday.

This agreement was reached after German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s courtesy visit to PCG Headquarters in Manila on Thursday.

“We talk broadly about three things,” Gavan said in a statement.

Gavan said these things were the procurement of additional drones for the PCG, training opportunities, and an increase in “person-to-person” exchange.

“One is their increasing support for the development of drones for the Philippine Coast Guard. We will also be pursuing more training opportunities to broaden the skills the Coast Guard would need,” Gavan said.

“We would also be increasing our person-to-person exchange to further deepen the relationship between Germany and the Philippine Coast Guard,” Gavan added.

Gavan said the drones will be used for search and rescue operations, marine pollution response, and patrols in the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise.

PCG spokesperson Armando Balilo on Thursday said Germany will provide four new additional drones, apart from the other two they provided in 2022.

As part of the courtesy visit, Baerbock boarded the BRP Gabriela Silang, where the foreign minister was briefed on its regular operations.

The German official is on an official visit to the country from Jan. 11 to 12.

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