TIM eMagazine Volume 3 Issue 2 | Page 12

Maritime Coast Guard K9 Group celebrates 15th founding anniversary P CG: Coast Guard K9 Group headed by Captain Nelson B Torre PCG celebrated its 15th founding anniversary with the Commander of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command, Commodore Leopoldo V Laroya PCG as the Guest of Honor at Coast Guard Base Taguig in Taguig City yesterday, May 23. One of the highlights of the celebration is the conferment of awards to several people and units in recognition of the invaluable service rendered to CGK9.  The CGK9 Enlisted of the Year was awarded to Petty Officer Second Class Marion B Dongcoy, CGK9 Team of the Year was given to CGK9 Team Zamboanga, CGK9 Field Operating Unit (FOU) of the Year was awarded to CGK9 FOU National Capital Region-Central Luzon, while the Coast Guard Working Dog of the Year was awarded to Coast Guard Working Dog "SNIPER", a Narcotics Detection Dog of CGK9 Western Visayas. P CG: The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has stepped up its coordination and cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the field of maritime law enforcement as they will conduct a rubber boat exercise from 30 May to 02 June at vicinity waters off Davao as part of the 12th Maritime Law Enforcement Exercise. A total of 20 PCG personnel assigned at Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), Special Operations Unit of CGDSEM and crew members of PCG multi-role response vessels from Japan, BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) and BRP Capones (MRRV- 4404) will participate this year’s rubber boat exercise. The participants will be assisted by the Japan International Cooperation 12 Credit : coastguard.gov.ph CGK9 group likewise conducted a joint convening ceremony of CGK9 Basic Handlers Course Class 05-2017 composed of 31 students and dogs, Special Training for CGK9 Explosives Detection Dog Class 02-2017 composed of 26 handlers and dogs, and Maritime Security Course Class 28-2017 composed of 40 students. The pre-anniversary activities kicked off last 19 May 2017 with fun shoot, spiritual enrichment seminar, free anti-rabies vaccination drive, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) bomb awareness seminar.  The momentous event was also attended by Major Lawrence San Juan, Commander of the Army-K9; Colonel Neil Anthony Estrella (Ret), Director of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service; Commander Shigeru Yoshida JCG, JICA Long-Term Expert in Maritime Law Enforcement; Mr. Erwin Niño Palima, Officer-in-Charge of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head of Taguig, local officials and other Coast Guard officers. coastguard.gov.ph Philippines, Japan Coast Guard hold rubber boat drills in Davao Agency maritime law enforcement experts of the JCG headed by Commander Akira Kuramoto. Said personnel will participate in various rubber boat drills to train the personnel in changing course, transferring, high speed manuevering, and different regulations followed in engaging with target vessels. This activity is a part of the Memorandum of Cooperation between both Coast Guards which aims to promote capacity enhancement of personnel in four areas; maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, aids to navigation and marine environment protection. coastguard. gov.ph