The Philippines and China coast guards set up joint drills to be conducted this year under an agreement which President Rodrigo Duterte signed during his state visit to China in October 2016.
Commander Armand Balilo, spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the activity will “enhance exchange and cooperation between the two maritime law enforcement agencies, both sides agreed to conduct bilateral exchange activities in 2017, including high-level visits, maritime operations and related exercises, vessel visits, and capacity building.”
There will be drills on search and rescue, oil pollution management, boarding, and law enforcement, particularly on combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes, Balilo said.
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