BRP Teresa Magbanua Returns to the Philippines After Successful Drills in Japan

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed back the multi-role response vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV‑9701) on Wednesday, June 25, after she participated in a trilateral exercise in Kagoshima, Japan.

Rear Admiral Hostillo Arturo Cornelio, PCG deputy commandant for administration, led the welcoming ceremony for BRP Teresa Magbanua and her 123-member crew at Pier 13 in Port Area, Manila.

Cornelio said the PCG enhanced its alliance on coast guard safety and security with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) during the exercise, which ran from June 16 to 20.

Among the drills conducted by the three nations’ coast guards were communication exercise (COMMEX), search and rescue Exercise (SAREX), fire fighting exercise (FFEX), photo exercise (PHOTOEX), and exercise on transfer of personnel.

“The trilateral exercise not only enhanced interoperability among the participating Coast Guards, but also strengthened their collective capability to respond to maritime emergencies and natural disasters,” the PCG said.

“It also served as a vital platform to exchange best practices, improve operational synergy, and reaffirm the shared commitment to uphold safety, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said it is expected to boost its maritime domain awareness (MDA) capabilities with the inclusion of the Philippines as one of the countries that would benefit from Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA).

“The OSA will provide us avenues to increase or enhance our capabilities particularly on maritime domain awareness. Our priority here is our sensors, our radars. In addition, OSA allows us an avenue to access HADR humanitarian assistance and disaster response platforms also and equipment,” PAF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura said.

In December 2024, the Philippines and Japan signed and exchanged notes for the OSA fiscal year 2024 project.

According to the Japanese government, OSA is a grant aid cooperation framework which provides equipment and supplies as well as assistance for the development of infrastructures to armed forces and other related organizations of recipient countries.

The agreement would provide 1.6 billion yen or approximately P611 million worth of assistance to Manila so it could modernize its armed forces, including support equipment related to PAF’s Air Surveillance Radar System.

The PAF procured a radar system from Japan through the maiden OSA grant worth 600 million yen or P235 million in 2023.

The agreement also includes rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), coastal radar systems, and other equipment to improve the Philippine Navy’s MDA capabilities.

According to the source: Manila Bulletin.