ASEAN Coast Guard Forum 2024 to build SEA-PEACE

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 6, 2024): ASEAN Coast Guard Forum 2024 to build SEA-PEACE (By: Michael L. Uy)

DAVAO CITY (PIA) – – Coast guards from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will aim to establish common procedures under the proposed South East Asian Protocols on Engagements at Sea for ASEAN Coast Guards and Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies (SEA-PEACE).

The protocols will guide them in dealing with maritime law enforcement operations at sea.

These include engagements on marine environment protection and preservation, search and rescue, and security and law enforcement like drug trade, human trafficking, and illegal fishing, according to Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Cavan during the opening ceremonies of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum 2024 held in Discovery Samal recently.

“One of the aspirations of this platform is to develop a common protocol that governs or guides the engagements of all coast guards in ASEAN so that we will be doing this in the same way, and in the long term, we will be creating a common norm,” Admiral Cavan said.

Cavan added that with the protocol, anyone who will enter or is within the common waters of the region should behave the way the ASEAN coast guards do.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, in his message, also affirmed the need for such a protocol, hoping that this will “sufficiently address both traditional and emerging challenges to maritime law enforcement and help ensure that the peace and stability which the region has enjoyed for decades will continue to flourish.”

Hosted by the PCG, the third conduct of the regional forum, slated until June 8, is attended by the heads of coast guards from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the People’s Republic of Laos, and Vietnam, as well as the forum’s partner, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

The PCG commandant said that the coast guards of Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste will soon form part of the forum. (RVC/MLU/PIA Davao)

ASEAN Coast Guard Forum 2024 held in Discovery Samal is attended by the heads of coast guards from the ASEAN countries, namely Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the People's Republic of Laos, and Vietnam, and the forum’s partner, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

https://www.pia.gov.ph/asean-coast-guard-forum-2024-to-build-sea-peace/