By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said it is tightening its vetting process for auxiliary members after reports that several foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, were able to enlist in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) in previous years.
At the Senate defense committee hearing, PCG Capt. Xerxes Fernandez confirmed that at least 36 Chinese nationals had been delisted under the previous administration, while another, identified as Joseph Sy, was recently removed after rising to the honorary rank of commodore.
He explained that the PCGA, established as a socio-civic volunteer group, had previously admitted foreigners because no major security threats were perceived at the time.
“Right then, during that time, there were no perceived threats from interference from foreign agents. But right now, we see that there’s a creeping intrusion into our security environment,” Fernandez said, adding that new and more stringent rules are being drafted to prevent similar cases in the future.
Fernandez clarified that auxiliary members are not commissioned officers or enlisted personnel of the Coast Guard and do not hold any security clearances.
Their uniforms and insignias are distinct from PCG personnel.
“They are just there to help us in safety and environmental protection,” he said, noting that many members are boat or shipping company owners tapped during search and rescue operations.
Senators, however, warned that auxiliaries, by attending Coast Guard events, could still build connections that might be exploited for intelligence-gathering.
The PCG official assured the panel it is addressing these risks to safeguard institutional integrity. (PNA)
