Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 12) — The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) expressed gratitude to its Filipino counterpart following the rescue of Japanese crew members onboard a distressed vessel off the coast of Oriental Mindoro.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday morning rescued five Japanese crew members aboard MV Catriona in the waters of Oriental Mindoro after a maritime incident.
“On behalf of the Japan Coast Guard, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your officer’s prompt and brave rescue operation to MV Catriona this morning, which eventually retrieved five Japanese crew members on board,” JCG Commandant Admiral Ishii Shohei said in a letter dated March 11.
“I would like to strongly applaud the professionalism and dedicated efforts of your team,” Shohei added, addressing PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu.The JCG top official also acknowledged that the Japanese government coincidentally sent a disaster relief team to assist in the oil spill incident in Oriental Mindoro, the same area where JCG members were rescued.“This kind of crossover effort by both agencies is true evidence of our longstanding friendship and I believe our expert team will also contribute to your relief operation as well,” Shohei said.
