PCG and GIZ conduct 2nd forum on maritime law enforcement and digital evidence

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and GIZ conducted the 2nd PCG Forum on Maritime Law Enforcement and Digital Evidence on October 16 at the Sheraton Manila Bay Hotel. This event is part of the pre-anniversary activities of the 123rd PCG Founding Anniversary Celebration 2024 themed “PCG@123: Matatag, Handa at Maaasahan Tungo sa Mapayapa at Mapanatag na Bagong Pilipinas." 

The forum, co-organized with the GIZ Project “Support to the PCG in Strengthening the Rules-based International Order in the Indo Pacific Phase 2 (PCGP2)” Project, intends to increase understanding and awareness on issues on National Security, Maritime law, and Information Security and Use in Maritime Law Enforcement.  Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan PCG, the PCG Commandant, welcomed and reminded the participants that as the Coast Guard uses new technologies, caution and care should be taken to avoid risks and dangers especially in maritime law enforcement. He reiterated the need for PCG to establish a strong framework of standards for technology use. He thanked the support of the German government through the PCGP2 Project that provides capacity building and other to the PCG. 

German Ambassador Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, in his opening remarks, also reiterated Germany’s commitment to support efforts to secure the rules-based international order, which have been agreed on by different countries.  He proudly shared about the 70 years of collaboration between the German and Philippine Government, citing the recent visit of the German Navy and German officials to the Philippines, the visit of the Philippine President to Germany, as well as the PCGP2 project affirm this partnership.

The speakers in the forum talked about timely and relevant issues in maritime law enforcement.

Maurizio Noll, the GIZ PCGP2 Project Manager, thanked the support of the PCG and emphasized the need to understand the role of digital evidence in PCG Operations. He also shared about the upcoming activities in partnership with the PCG which include the curriculum on evidence and the training for the new drones and IT Infrastructure that will be handed over in the coming month.  

The Forum organizing team lead and panel discussions moderator, GIZ PCGP2 Advisor for Capacity Building Measures and Digital Evidence Maria Regina Corazon Sibal, thanked the support of the PCG leadership and PCG Offices who supported and assisted the forum: Office of the Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization (CG-15), Coast Guard Legislative Liaison Affairs (CG LLA),   Coast Guard Weapons, Communications, Electronics, and Information Systems Command (CGWCEISC),  Coast Guard Education Training and Doctrine Command (CGETDC) and the Coast Guard ETDC Leadership Doctrine Development Center (CGETDC-LDDC) in making the event a success.