Coast Guards of Japan and Indonesia are joining Philippine Coast Guard in a five-day Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2024 at the territorial waters of Bacolod and Negros Occidental on June 24 to 28, amid tensions at West Philippines Sea.
In an advisory, Coast Guard Ensign Frances Doren Balboa – Baterbonia yesterday said that the trilateral exercise of the three countries will involve search and rescue, firefighting, oil spill and equipment recovery operations, as well damage assessment operations.
Marpolex is an oil spill response integrated exercise held every two years since 1986. The Philippines and Indonesia initially conducted the exercise following the implementation of the Sulu Sulawesi Oil Spill Network Plan 1981. Japan joined in 1995.
The Philippine Coast Guard earlier said that the maritime exercise directly impacts doctrines, training, capability development, and strategies that may be utilize in future undertakings, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Five Philippine vessels were earlier reported to participate in the exercise while Indonesia will send two ships, and Japan will send one. | GB
