KASABAY ng pagdiriwang ng ika-15 anibersaryo ng Coast Guard Fleet, dumalo si US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson sa isinagawang turn-over ceremony kung saan tumanggap ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ng mga kagamitan para sa maintenance ng mga barko at ilang tactical items.
Ang mga kagamitan ay mula sa US State Department-Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Isinagawa ang turnover ceremony sa CGFleet, Pier 13, South Harbor Manila, Lunes ng tanghali.
Sa kanyang talumpati, inihayag ni Ambassador Carlson na umpisa pa lang ito ng magandang ugnayan ng Amerika sa PCG sa pagpalalakas ng kapabilidad nito sa maritime surveillance at communications.
“I know it’s just the first of what will be many interactions that I am sure to enjoy with the coast guard during my tenure in the Philippines. The donations we are commemorating today will directly enhance surveillance, communications, and demarcate capability as part of our comprehensive and enduring programs,” pahayag ni Carlson.
Pinasalamatan naman ni CG Guard Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante, Deputy Commandant for Operations, si Carlson at ang pagnanais ng Amerika na tulungan ang coast guard ng Pilipinas.
“We are very fortunate to have been visited and acknowledged by our good ambassador, excellency Carlson for the turn-over of equipment and technical tools dito sa ating Coast Guard Fleet. Our Coast Guard friends have acknowledged not only receiving the food and new equipment,…but also they have acknowledge that our capabilities must be improved in our conduct of maintenance and repair,” ayon kay Fabricante.
Binigyang-diin naman CG Rear Admiral Charlie Rances, ang Commander ng Coast Guard Fleet, ang kahalagahan ng naturang inisiyatibo ng Amerika.
Kabilang sa mga tactical items na ibinigay ng US ay ang waterproof digital cameras, binoculars, Handheld Very High Frequency (VHF) radios, at Military-style individual first aid kits.
Samantala, kasunod ng nauulat na kidnapping sa bansa, tiniyak naman ng Coast Guard officials na nakaalalay sa iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno maging sa lokal na pamahalaan ang PCG na matiyak ang seguridad.
“The Philippine Coast Guard has been supporting the local government units and the local PNP in the conduct of this, to pursue the peace and development in the countryside,” ayon kay Fabricante.
