German Embassy Manila and GIZ pay courtesy call to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant

Mr. Mathias Kruse, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manila, affirmed the German government’s support to the Philippines in upholding a rules-based international order amidst challenges and heightening tensions in its maritime domain.  

Immanuel Gebhardt, Country Director of GIZ Philippines and the Pacific Island Countries, affirmed GIZ’s commitment to the success of the PCG through the "Support to the Philippine Coast Guard in Securing the Rules-based International Order in the Indo-Pacific Phase II” (PCGP2) Project, which is funded by the Federal Government of Germany through the Enhancement Initiative. He hopes that further cooperation can also be done with the PCG, highlighting the success of GIZ project in the Philippines since the 1970’s in the areas of: Peace-building and conflict, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk management, biodiversity conservation and hygiene and sanitation. 

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Latorilla Gavan acknowledged and thanked the German government, through the German Embassy and GIZ. He hopes that the German government can continue to support the PCG not just in maritime law enforcement for peace and security but also in other mandates such as maritime safety and marine environmental protection. He highlighted possible cooperation in supporting data and research initiatives in strengthening the maritime operations. 

Christina Rentzmann, Cluster Coordinator of the PCG P2 Project and Principal Advisor of the Rule of Law in Mindanao (ROLMIN) Project, expressed gratitude to the PCG leadership and offices on behalf of GIZ in the completion of the Project’s Phase 1 and its ongoing efforts in Phase 2. 

Maurizio Noll, Project Manager for the PCGP2 Project, gave updates on the Project’s milestones, he also requested for support for the upcoming activities until the end of the Project in December 2024, highlighting the delivery of three customized UAVs and the launch of the PCG digital evidence curriculum. 

Also present in the meeting were CG Capt Eric Ferrancullo, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization (CG-15); Maria Regina Corazon S. Sibal, PCGP2 Advisor for Capacity Building Measures and Digital Evidence and Processing; and Valeene Salanga, PCGP2 Advisor for UAV Doctrine Development.