US, Japan and Philippines to conduct joint coast guard exercises

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 97-metre multi-role response vessel (MRRV) BRP Teresa Magbanua will depart Manila later this week to participate in a trilateral maritime exercise with the US and Japan Coast Guards off Kagoshima City on Kyushu Island.

The PCG said the MRRV is scheduled to arrive in Kagoshima Port on June 12. The ship will then undergo maintenance before being formally welcomed in a reception ceremony on June 16 along with the US Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Stratton, which will also participate in the exercise.

The five-day exercise will be the second to be conducted by the three countries' coast guards as well as the first such exercise to be held in Japanese waters. The previous exercise was held from June 1 to 7, 2023, off Bataan province north of Manila.

The PCG said the exercise off Kagoshima will also include capacity-building drills and facility tours.

Magbanua is the lead ship of a class of MRRVs acquired by the PCG from Mitsubishi Shipbuilding in 2022. The class also includes BRP Melchora Aquino.

Another five 97-metre MRRVs will be supplied to the PCG beginning in 2027, as confirmed by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a recent official visit to Manila.