[In photo: (L-R) U.S. Embassy Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Deputy Director Luke Bruns, Thailand delegation head Captain Ktitkorn Kanjanawanich, Indonesia delegation head Commander Semuel Sandi Rundupadang, Philippine Coast Guard Captains Noriel Ramos and Jimmy Naisod, Malaysia delegation head Commander Mohd Hairil Bin Othman, and Vietnam delegation head Colonel Cao Vu Long]
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently co-hosted a three-day Technical Expert Workshop in Bagac, Bataan, for maritime law enforcement agencies from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The workshop was aimed at enhancing cooperation in addressing shared maritime issues, including collaborative approaches to countering illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing.
During the workshop, 30 delegates from participating nations’ coast guards, border security, and fisheries enforcement agencies conducted technical exchanges and scenario-based simulation exercises to improve existing policies and standard operating procedures related to information sharing and operational coordination.
The participating agencies will collectively present their observations and recommendations to their senior leaders at the 2025 Commanders’ Forum.
The annual Technical Expert Workshop and Commanders’ Forum series are funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) through its Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI).
“The annual SEAMLEI Commanders’ Forum and Technical Expert Workshop are key elements of the broader U.S. effort to enhance maritime cooperation among Southeast Asian partners,” U.S. Embassy INL Deputy Director Luke Bruns said.
PCG Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center Deputy Director Captain Noriel Ramos described the workshop as an effective venue to gather with like-minded regional partners “to discuss and collaborate on maritime law enforcement efforts for regional stability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.” He also conveyed the PCG’s intent to host the next SEAMLEI Commanders’ Forum in 2025.
