Nearly 50 fishermen who operate in the West Philippine Sea have joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Auxiliary, strengthening the role of local fishing communities in protecting the country’s territorial waters.

The 48 volunteers from Zambales, Bataan and Pangasinan took their oaths of office and completed indoctrination on 28 January in Barangay Bulawen. The initiative is part of a national strategy to involve fishing communities as “front-line” volunteers to assist the PCG in safeguarding maritime interests and the environment.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, described the civilian auxiliaries as essential “force multipliers.” He urged the new members to maintain lawful conduct at sea and heightened vigilance.

Tarriela also cautioned the volunteers against online disinformation, noting that digital spaces are increasingly being targeted by trolls.

He defined the volunteers’ primary roles as promoting safety of life at sea, protecting the marine environment, and assisting in youth development and coastal community projects.

Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, also attended the ceremony. Batongbacal has long advocated for a visible PCG presence to protect fishermen from harassment in contested waters.

However, Batongbacal stressed that unlike foreign maritime militias, Filipino fishermen are civilians pursuing livelihoods and should not be used in “gray zone tactics.”

The ceremony marks a significant step in empowering local fisherfolk as partners in national security while reaffirming their commitment to protecting their own livelihoods and Philippine sovereignty.