BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The new commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) district in Western Visayas said maritime law enforcement would be his main thrust.
All stations under PCG Region 6 must stop illegal fishing, among others, according to Captain Edgar Ybañez.
He would also divide the existing Coast Guard Station in Negros Occidental into two units, with the formation of Coast Guard Station Southern Negros which will oversee the humanitarian, maritime security and law enforcement in the southern part of the province.
“Hopefully, we can do it this year. We are just waiting for instructions from the higher headquarters,” Ybañez said.
Ybañez replaced Commodore Hostillo Arturo Cornelio on Oct. 5.
Cornelio is now the commander of Coast Guard District National Capital Region-Central Luzon.
Ybañez was previously the commander of Coast Guard District-North Eastern Luzon./PN
