00:00 PCG, with heightened alert after the bombing incident in Marawi City and their assistance
00:06 to the victims of the strong earthquake in Surigao del Sur.
00:10 That is what we will talk about with Rear Admiral Arman Balido, the spokesperson of the Philippine
00:17 Coast Guard.
00:18 Rear Admiral Balido, good afternoon to you.
00:22 Good afternoon, and good afternoon to all of our viewers.
00:29 Sir, the Philippine Coast Guard was under heightened alert after the bombing that took
00:35 place in Mindanao State University.
00:38 What security measures is the PCG taking now?
00:43 Well, first of all, we are increasing our surveillance on where the bombing could affect,
00:53 especially on the ports involved in the Mindanao area.
00:59 We also placed additional sea marshals to assist passengers while they are sailing.
01:08 We are also adding K9 units to help shipping companies to ensure that there is nothing
01:17 that could be slipped if there are passengers who could bring things that could be damaged
01:24 to the ships.
01:25 Rear Admiral, what coastal areas are you watching now?
01:28 And have we fully deployed PCG personnel for this alert status?
01:32 Not all coastal communities of Mindanao and even Visayas are under our surveillance.
01:48 And of course, here in Metro Manila, we are also under alert.
01:52 The Philippine Coast Guard's personnel are under heightened alert.
01:56 We are also monitoring our floating assets that are moving around the seas.
02:03 And all vital installations that could be affected by the sea are under our surveillance.
02:11 Admiral, what will be your relationship with the port authorities up to now?
02:17 And what are the guidelines and security measures, especially in the ports and coastal areas?
02:24 We are working with the Philippine Port Authority.
02:27 They have a port police that is accompanying the patrol operations of the Philippine Coast Guard.
02:35 And even in the information sharing and security layers, the Philippine Port Authority and
02:45 the Philippine Coast Guard are working together to ensure that we are not affected by any
02:52 of the upcoming holiday season.
02:57 Okay.
02:58 Sir, how is your coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police?
03:06 We are complementing the security operations of AFP and PNP, especially in port facilities and the fishing.
03:16 We are also monitoring coastal areas where we have coastal security patrols and we are observing
03:29 the movements of people and sea vehicles.
03:34 We are very active in sharing the information that AFP and PNP have.
03:41 Sir, here in the strong coast, in Surigao del Sur, what is your participation and assistance
03:53 to provide assistance to affected areas and individuals who are strongly affected?
04:00 Ma'am, what the Philippine Coast Guard did is that they sent people to evacuate and to
04:10 help the Office of Civil Defense when there was a problem in Mindanao.
04:17 We also monitor the seas that we observed, if there is a tsunami or a flood, and we warned
04:24 our fellow Filipinos to monitor and to evacuate if necessary.
04:31 Alright, the PCG wants to commit the zero maritime crime this holiday season.
04:37 What are the efforts of the PCG to strengthen maritime security in our seas?
04:44 Well, as I said earlier, we added our staff.
04:51 Admiral Gaban instructed us 24/7 to see the visibility or the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard
05:00 and also our harbor patrol and to assist government agencies like AFP and PNP,
05:08 Office of Civil Defense, so that there is a clear protection that there is no maritime incident
05:15 or maritime crime that will happen this holiday season.
05:18 Sir, what are the maritime crimes in particular that you are monitoring?
05:23 These include the disturbances, thefts and robberies in ships, disturbances that can be committed.
05:34 And our main concern and the main preparation is the shipwrecking.
05:42 Although we do not monitor the threat, we do not make a complaint,
05:49 and we put the right measures so that the threats of terrorists will not be successful in our shipwreck.
05:59 Admiral, a message and a reminder to our fellow Filipinos who are watching our program now.
06:06 Ma'am, peace and a safe trip this holiday season, not only to the Philippine Coast Guard,
06:15 we are asking for the cooperation of the public and shipping companies
06:20 so that we can deliver our goods to our fellow Filipinos in their provinces this holiday season.
06:27 Thank you very much for your time, Rear Admiral Arman Balilo, the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard.
06:36 Thank you, Ma'am.
