Coast guard activates station in Turtle Islands town

Small motorboats waits for passengers at the coast of downtown Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to be ferried to other parts of the province. (File photo by: Teofilo P. Garcia Jr.)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated a station in the Turtle Islands Municipality, Tawi-Tawi, the south-western tip of the country, a top PCG official said Saturday.

Capt. Ronnie Gil Gavan, South Western Mindanao Coast Guard District commander, said the facility, known as the Coast Guard Station Western Tawi-Tawi, was activated on Tuesday.

Gavan said the new coast guard station is located in Taganak Island, the largest island in the municipality of Turtle Islands.

He said the station will ensure the effective delivery of PCG services in the far flung areas of Turtle Islands, including the strict enforcement of maritime laws. He pointed out that most of the vessels transiting in the area are left unguarded and unchallenged in terms of maritime safety.

He said the area of responsibility of the CGS Western Tawi-Tawi included the whole waters of Turtle Islands. It has two operating units, namely the Coast Guard Sub-Stations Taganak and Bakungan.

The PCG is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, maritime environmental protection and maritime security. (PNA/By Teofilo Garcia, Jr)