Philippine Coast Guard

From Worldatplay

The Philippine Coast Guard (Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas) is the coast guard 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. Also, it is 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 (10) Coast Guard Districts, fifty-four (54) CG Stations and over one hundred ninety (190) CG Detachments, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi tawi.

Its Major Units are 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.

Due to the rash of terrorist attacks, the PCG activated the Task Force Sea Marshals, a composite team from the PCG, AFP and PNP. These Sea Marshals ride on many passenger ferries travelling to and from Manila, and maintain a security presence aboard these ferries. It is headed by the commandant, Rear Admiral Damian L. Carlos PCG. who is supported by Read Admiral Danilo A. Abinoja PCG, the deputy commandant.

Special Operations Group

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.

The Philippine Coast Guard's Special Operations Group is the special forces wing 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 Superferry 14 Disaster.

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 Auxiliary

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian support group for the Philippine Coast Guard. Although a volunteer, civilian organisation, 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.