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Commodore Higinio C. Mendoza Jr., Commander of the 4th District, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) and co-author, signs the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the 14th District, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA) during the 16th PCGA Convention in the Philippines. Witnessing the signing are Lt. Cmdr. Robert Elston, PCGA and Rear Adm. Euceo Fajardo, Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard. |
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Historically, the Philippines and the United States have been military partners, dating as far back as the World War II battleground of Bataan and up to the present bilateral BALIKATAN exercises.
In June 2000, elements of the two countries’ coast guard auxiliaries joined together in a new agreement to promote a closer relationship. The event took place at the 16th Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary National Millennium Convention, held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines, 23-25 June 2000. One of the highlights was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding/Sister Unit Agreement between the 4th District, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (4CGDAUX) based in Palawan and the 14th District, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary based in Hawaii.
The
memorandum is intended to promote mutual understanding and sharing of
knowledge and expertise for enhancing such common goals as promoting boating
safety, saving human lives, and protecting the maritime safety interests
of the citizens of the Philippines and United States.
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Philippine contingent at the USCGA national conference, L to R: Lt. Cmdr. Florentina Labanda, Cmdr. Felix Labanda, Capt. Serafin C. David, Commodore Higinio C. Mendoza Jr., Commodore Casimiro Juarez and Dr. Fe R. Juarez.
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The agreement was signed 24 June 2000 by Commodore Higinio C. Mendoza Jr., Commander of the 4CGDAUX and Commodore Burkhard L. Berger, Commander of the 14th District U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. This historic moment was witnessed by the Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, Rear Adm. Euceo Fajardo and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary National Commander, Rear Adm. Matias B. Aznar.
Other officials who witnessed the signing were Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary National Executive Group Chairman, Commodore Kit Sanz; former Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, Rear Adm. Manuel I. De Leon; and Philippine Coast Guard Deputy Commandant, Commodore Ruben S. Lista, as well as other Philippine and U.S. officers. Commodore Mendoza hosted a candlelight ceremony in honor of the new agreement.
So
far, the 4CGDAUX has been acclaimed to be the best Philippine Coast Guard
Auxiliary convention host. The 4CGDAUX is also credited with successfully
hosting the largest convention turnout ever — a record-breaking attendance
of 368 participants.
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L to R: Capt. Serafin C. David, PCGA; Commodore Burkhard L. Berger, USCGA (Co-signer of the MOA); Commodore Higinio C. Mendoza Jr., PCGA; and Cmdr. Felix Labanda during the USCGA conference
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