Coast Guard Mulls Somalia Mission

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 1): Coast Guard Mulls Somalia Mission

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is seriously studying the possibility of sending its elite Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel for an international mission next year to deliver food aid to the people of conflict-stricken Somalia. PCG Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has a pending request for some members of the SOG to be commissioned to provide security to ships directed by international organizations. “The PCG could provide security on board commercial vessels going to Somalia. I said that was possible since our SOG number 350 personnel and we can dispense approximately 50 personnel, on rotation basis, as escort,” he said.

 The DFA recently asked the maritime agency if it could provide security escorts to guard against Somali pirates preying on commercial vessels bringing food to Somalia. Isorena, however, explained that there are different options to take with regard to this new task being offered to the PCG. “This deployment is very complicated. We are just asked to prepare just in case we would be dispatched, and that is why the SOG should start its training,” he said.

For the meantime, the PCG is in the process of negotiation and settling several aspects of the mission such as the composition of the SOG team. “The vessel owner might have to provide the logistical requirements,” he said. In addition, the PCG wants to know about the commercial vessels they will escort and whether or not they will bring their own firearms for this mission to Somalia. “Would we be using a cargo ship, would it have several compartments? We need to run through on what type of vessel. We are still in the planning stage and we still have a lot to talk about,” said PCG-SOG head Commandant Marco Antonio Gines. He added, “We have firearms, both long and short, but how about the tactical gear accessories that would be attached to it like the night visions. What we have are M16 rifles but if they (the enemy) have surface-to-air missiles, then we should be ready.”

Gines said they would welcome the possible Somalia assignment. “This is a welcome development for us…I have briefed the fleet and we have accepted this set up. We just have to give the go signal, if we are already ready mentally, in terms of the training, and the equipment before we could fully commit to the assignment,” he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/383960/coast-guard-mulls-somalia-mission