| Unit name | Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary |
|---|---|
| Start date | February 9, 1972 (age 54) |
| Country | Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Coast Guard |
| Role | Search and rescue Disaster relief |
| Size | 5,000 volunteers |
| Colors label | Colors |
| Commander 1 | Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan |
| Commander1 label | Commandant of the Coast Guard |
| Commander2 label | National Director of Auxiliary |
The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) is a volunteer civilian organization which is under the direct control and supervision of the commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard.
History
The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) was established on February 9, 1972. On that date during a gathering at the Philippine Navy Officers' Club commemorating the Philippine Navy Day, the Coast Guard Commandant announced the intention of the Navy Flag Officer-in-Command to form a civilian volunteer unit to assist the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The attendants of the gathering supported the plan including the members of the Manila Yacht Club leading to the formation of what was later known as the PCGA.[1]
The current iteration of the PCGA is institutionalized by Republic Act No. 9993 or the PCG Law of 2009.[1]
Role and function
The PCGA assists the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) but is not directly part of the PCG. This includes assistance in relief and search and rescue operations.[2]
Membership
PCGA members are uniformed volunteers. However, they are not commissioned officers or enlisted personnel of the PCG and therefore had distinct uniforms and insignia from the regular coast guard. Since the PCGA often is involved in search and rescue operations, its members include boat and shipping company owners. Previously the PCGA was open to foreign citizens. As of 2018, there were no perceived security threat at the time. However, the PCGA made its vetting process stricter in 2025.[3][4][5]
Since Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan's assumption as PCG commandant in 2023, PCGA members are required to secure national clearances. In 2024, there are about 5,000 PCGA members.[6]
Notable members
- VADM Liza Araneta Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines and wife of President Bongbong Marcos[7]
- RADM Larry Gadon, disbarred lawyer; Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation of the Bongbong Marcos Administration since 2023[8]
- COMMO Lucy Torres-Gomez, actress; Mayor, Ormoc City, Leyte[9]
- COMMO Luis Manzano, actor, host[10]
- LCDR Nico Bolzico, Argentine businessman[11][12]
- LCDR Matteo Guidicelli, actor; also a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Philippine Army Reserve Command[11][12]
- LCDR Erwan Heussaff, actor, model, chef[11][12]
- LCDR Diether Ocampo, actor[13]
- CAPT Gerald Anderson, actor[14]; also a Private in the Philippine Army Reserve Command
- ENS Julia Barretto, actress[15]
- PO3 Nesthy Petecio, Olympic silver medalist (featherweight), 2020 Summer Olympics; bronze medalist (featherweight), 2024 Summer Olympics[16]
References
- ^ Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Regulations Manual. 2012 ed. Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "Malacañang, tiniyak na walang banta mula sa Chinese na nakapasok Coast Guard Auxiliary" [Malacañang, made sure that there is no threat from the Chinese who have inflitrated the Coast Guard Auxiliary] (in Filipino). RMN Networks. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "PCG cites foreign agents’ ‘creeping intrusion’ in PH infra". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Bacelonia, Wilnard (27 August 2025). "PCG tightens vetting process for auxiliary members". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Crisostomo, Sheila (21 March 2024). "36 Chinese served in PCG auxiliary, House told". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Aurelio, Julie & Subingsubing, Krixia (22 March 2024). "Chinese in PCG reserve force ‘not spies, hackers’". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Macairan, Evelyn (17 July 2024). "Liza Marcos joins PCG Auxiliary". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Ferreras, Vince Angelo (23 October 2025). "Larry Gadon takes oath as PCG auxiliary rear admiral". GMA News Online. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Lucy Torres Gomez Coast Guard Executive Squadron". PEP.ph. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Luis Manzano member na ng Phil. Coast Guard". Abante Tonite. February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ^ "LOOK: Philippine Coast Guard names Matteo Guidicelli, Erwan Heussaff, Nico Bolzico as newly inducted officers". ABSCBN. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Ganal, FM (22 March 2019). "Matteo Guidicelli, Nico Bolzico, Erwan Heussaff join Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary". PEP.ph. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Why Diether Ocampo is not inviting other celebs to join PH Coast Guard Auxiliary". ABS-CBN News. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Canlas, Jomar (12 September 2021). "Gerald Anderson, 3 PCG officers promoted". The Manila Times. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "LOOK: Julia Barretto joins Gerald Anderson in Coast Guard Auxilliary K9 Squadron". DZRH. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "PCG welcomes 2020 Olympians into the Coast Guard service". Philippine Coast Guard. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2025.