SEVENTY-seven participants have successfully completed a five-day Coast Barangay Maritime Responder Basic Training and Water Search and Rescue (Wasar) Training in Omar, Sulu, strengthening the readiness and capabilities of responders in addressing maritime emergencies and saving lives, the military said Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The 101st Infantry Battalion (101IB) that 44 participants from various villages in Omar underwent the Coastal Barangay Maritime Responder Basic Training, while 33 personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 101IB, and the Omar Municipal Police Station participated in Wasar training.
“Over the course of five days, various activities were conducted, including lectures, practical exercises, water survival drills, rescue techniques, the use of rescue equipment, first aid training, and simulated water search and rescue operations,” the 101IB said in a statement.
“Emphasis was also placed on teamwork, rapid coordination, and proper response during emergencies,” the 101IB added.
The training, which concluded Friday, August 21, was led by Commander Angela Salih, commander of Coast Guard Station Eastern Sulu, and Lieutenant Noli Torres, commander of the Coast Guard Special Operations Unit–Southwestern Mindanao.
The 101IB said the five-day training demonstrated strong inter-agency cooperation and unity among government agencies, local government units, and coastal villages, aiming to ensure a more organized and rapid response to maritime emergencies.
“By the end of the training, the pool of responders equipped with the necessary knowledge and practical skills—capable of assisting authorities in times of need—had expanded,” the 101IB said.
Meanwhile, Omar Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon has fully supported the program as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety and disaster preparedness in coastal villages in the municipality. (SunStar Zamboanga)