GIZ PCGP2 Project facilitates PCG UAS Doctrine Review

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Technical Working Groups for the Unmannned Aerial Systems (UAS) Doctrine Development had its final Doctrine Review Meeting on September 4 in Manila.

The PCG Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Doctrine Writing Workshop, facilitated through the GIZ Project "Support to the Philippine Coast Guard in Securing the Rules-based International Order in the Indo-Pacific Phase II (PCGP2)," in coordination with the PCG Office of the Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization (CG-15), was attended by representatives from the four PCG UAS Doctrine Technical Working Groups (TWG) namely: 1) TWG on Organization, Mission, and Operations, 2) TWG on Personnel, Education, and Training, 3) TWG on Sustainment, Maintenance, and Logistics, and TWG on Legal Considerations.

During the activity, the final draft of the UAS Doctrine was reviewed. This draft is a result of the inputs of the TWG in the past six months. PCG P2 Advisor for Policy Implementation, Ms. Valeene Salanga facilitated the review.

UAV Doctrine Development is one of the three components of the PCG P2 Project. It aims to support further development and dissemination of UAV guidelines (UAV doctrine) for UAVs within the PCG's mandate. The draft doctrine that outlines the guidelines that focus on adapting rules and regulations and further developing existing procedures and organizational structures shall be presented to the PCG top leadership for review and approval.

PCG Commo Ramon S. Lopez, the Deputy Commander CG Maritime Security Law Enforcement (MARSLEC) and overall TWG lead, in his opening message expressed appreciation for the support of the Federal Government of Germany, the German Embassy Manila, and GIZ. He challenged the coast guard officers present to realize the importance of establishing standards and guidelines in its operations, citing that the initiative to map out UAV Operations in a doctrine may also as a guide in operationalizing emerging technologies in the PCG.