Philippine Coast Guard

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Philippine Coast Guard
"Tanurang Baybayin ng Pilipinas"


caption= Coat of Arms of the Philippine Coast Guard
start_date= October 7, 1901
country= Republic of the Philippines
allegiance=
branch=
type= Coast Guard
role= Maritime Law enforcement, Border control
size=
command_structure= Department of Transportation and Communications
garrison= Port Area, Manila
garrison_label=
equipment=
equipment_label=
nickname=
motto= "Safer ships, cleaner seas"
core values=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot= Dolphin
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=
current_commander= Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo
current_commander_label= Commandant
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
notable_commanders= The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) (Filipino: "Tanurang Baybayin ng Pilipinas") ("TBP") is a maritime law enforcement agency operating under the Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines.

The PCG is involved in the broader enforcement of maritime laws in the country, especially against smuggling, illegal fishing , drug trafficking and piracy. It is also involved in maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions, as well as the protection of the marine environment. Currently, it is present throughout the archipelago, with ten Coast Guard districts, fifty-four CG stations and over one hundred ninety CG detachments, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. [ [http://www.coastguard.gov.ph/content/?page_id=13 Mission - Pulse of the Maritime Environment · Philippine Coast Guard — News ] ]

Units

The Philippine Coast Guard's major units include the Coast Guard Operating Forces (CGOF), Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM), Aids to Navigation Command (ANC) and the Coast Guard Education and Training Command (CGETC). Among the PCG's special units are the Coast Guard Fleet, Coast Guard Aviation Group, Coast Guard Special Operations Group, and the CG K-9 Unit. The PCG used to be under the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but is now fully under civilian authority under the Department of Transportation & Communication.

Due to an increase in terrorist attacks, the PCG activated the Task Force Sea Marshals, a composite team from the PCG, AFP and Philippine National Police. These Sea Marshals ride on many passenger ferries traveling to and from Manila, and maintain a security presence aboard these ferries. The unit is headed by the Commandant, Admiral Danilo A. Abinoja and his two Vice Commandants; Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo and Rear Admiral Ramon Liwag.

pecial Operations Group

The Philippine Coast Guard's Special Operations Group is the special forces unit of the Philippine Coast Guard. It is a domestic counter-terrorism and law enforcement unit directly under its control, particularly notable for their involvement in the aftermath of the 2004 SuperFerry 14 bombing. [ [http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/03/01/MAIN200403013680.html Number of missing passengers rises.] Retrieved on June 21, 2007.]

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian support group for the Philippine Coast Guard. Although a volunteer, civilian organization, the PCGA uses a military structure for organizational purposes. Like other volunteer sea rescue organizations around the world, it performs non-military and non-police activities in support of its national navy or coast guard. These endeavors include search and rescue, environmental protection, disaster relief, community service, and marine safety.

References

See also

* Coast Guard
* Philippine National Police
* Philippine Navy
* Philippine Marine Corps
* Philippine Air Force
* Philippine Army
* Armed Forces of the Philippines
* Military History of the Philippines

External links

* [http://www.coastguard.gov.ph Philippine Coast Guard]
* [http://www.cgof.org/hcgof/ Coast Guard Operating Forces]
* [http://thechiefsurgeonpcg.tripod.com The Chief Surgeon, Philippine Coast Guard]
* [http://pcga106.com/ 106th PCGA Squadron]
* [http://pcgacec.com/ PCGA CEC Group]
* [http://pcgaaow.com/ PCGA AOW Group]