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PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES CENTER emerges as a strategic institutional response to the landmark enactment of Republic Act No. 12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act) and Republic Act No. 12065 (Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act)

Should EV and HEV Be Prohibited Onboard Ro-Ro Vessels?by VADM Robert N Patrimonio PCG (Ret), Ph.D. | Sep 21, 2026The Cas...
21/09/2026

Should EV and HEV Be Prohibited Onboard Ro-Ro Vessels?
by VADM Robert N Patrimonio PCG (Ret), Ph.D. | Sep 21, 2026

The Case of the MV June Aster Fire Incident

The tragic fire aboard MV June Aster on September 9, 2026, has reignited public debate about the safety of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), particularly when transported aboard passenger and cargo roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels. The disaster claimed seventy-seven lives, left many families grieving, and raised difficult questions that investigators are still working to answer.

Beyond the headlines and technical discussions lies a painful reality. Families lost loved ones, survivors endured a terrifying ordeal at sea, and an entire maritime community was reminded of how quickly a shipboard emergency can escalate into a catastrophe. In the aftermath of such tragedies, there is a natural tendency to seek immediate answers and identify a cause. Yet maritime history repeatedly teaches us that facts must come before conclusions.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/should-ev-and-hev-be-prohibited-onboard-ro-ro-vessels/

Lessons From the Voyageby VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Sep 19, 2026What My First Year with PASLCI Taught MeWhen...
19/09/2026

Lessons From the Voyage
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Sep 19, 2026

What My First Year with PASLCI Taught Me

When I look back at my first year with the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI), I realize that the journey taught me much more than I expected. I began PASLCI with a clear purpose: to continue serving the country after retirement by contributing my experience to the implementation and operationalization of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes.

But along the way, I discovered that building an organization is also a journey of personal discovery.

The first year gave me lessons about people, leadership, relationships, credibility, partnership, and, ultimately, service.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/lessons-from-the-voyage/

Rationalizing the Philippine Maritime Administrationby USec Arturo "Art" Valdez (Ret) | Sep 19, 2026Completing an Unfini...
19/09/2026

Rationalizing the Philippine Maritime Administration
by USec Arturo "Art" Valdez (Ret) | Sep 19, 2026

Completing an Unfinished Maritime Reform: Toward a Department of Maritime and Ocean Affairs for an Archipelagic Nation

The Philippines is an archipelagic State, but its governmental institutions have never fully reflected the maritime character of the nation.

For centuries before colonial rule, the sea connected rather than separated the peoples of the Philippine archipelago. Our ancestors were boat builders, navigators, traders and voyagers. The sea was their highway and the islands were nodes in a much larger maritime world.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/rationalizing-the-philippine-maritime-administration/

Why the Philippine Coast Guard Should Remain Under the Department of Transportationby VADM Robert N Patrimonio PCG (Ret)...
13/09/2026

Why the Philippine Coast Guard Should Remain Under the Department of Transportation
by VADM Robert N Patrimonio PCG (Ret), Ph.D. | Sep 13, 2026

During the House budget deliberations on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Secretary Jonvic Remulla raised the possibility of transferring the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Immigration to the department, a proposal that warrants careful scrutiny because the PCG’s identity and daily work extend far beyond law enforcement.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/why-the-philippine-coast-guard-should-remain-under-the-department-of-transportation/

The Philippine Coast Guard, Choosing the Right Institutional Home for Stronger Maritime Governanceby VADM Joseph Coyme P...
13/09/2026

The Philippine Coast Guard, Choosing the Right Institutional Home for Stronger Maritime Governance
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Sep 13, 2026

A PASLCI Perspective on the Proposed Transfer of the Philippine Coast Guard to the DILG

The continuing proposal to transfer the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should not be viewed simply as a question of administrative reorganization. At its core, it is a question of which institutional arrangement will best strengthen Philippine maritime governance.

READ: https://paslci.org/article/the-philippine-coast-guard-choosing-the-right-institutional-home-for-stronger-maritime-governance/

Command Must Remain with the Commandant But Governance Must Protect the Coast Guardby VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D...
10/09/2026

Command Must Remain with the Commandant But Governance Must Protect the Coast Guard
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Sep 11, 2026

Harmonizing the Proposed Philippine Coast Guard Commission with the Senate and House Versions of the Revised PCG Law

The debate over the proposed Philippine Coast Guard Commission should not be framed as a choice between internal reform and external oversight. The more important question is how the proposed Commission can be harmonized with the Senate-approved Senate Bill No. 2116 and the current House version of the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law, without creating overlapping authorities or weakening the Commandant’s command.

My position is straightforward:

Commandants should lead the Coast Guard, but the governance system should protect and continuously improve the Coast Guard.

This recognizes two equally important realities. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) must retain a clear and effective chain of command. At the same time, reforms involving personnel, career development, meritocracy, accountability and institutional continuity must be protected beyond the tenure of individual leaders.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/command-must-remain-with-the-commandant-but-governance-must-protect-the-coast-guard/

WHY THE COAST GUARD NEEDS A GOVERNANCE OVERHAULby VADM Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret), Ph.D.Published by the Philippine Daily ...
04/09/2026

WHY THE COAST GUARD NEEDS A GOVERNANCE OVERHAUL
by VADM Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret), Ph.D.

Published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 03 September 2026
https://opinion.inquirer.net/194201/why-the-coast-guard-needs-a-governance-overhaul

When the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was transferred to civilian authority in 1998, it had roughly 3,000 personnel. Today, it is a nationwide armed and uniformed service with an expanding fleet, a growing aviation arm and a mandate encompassing search and rescue, marine environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, disaster response, maritime domain awareness and the defense of Philippine sovereign rights at sea.

That is significant growth. But growth is not the same as maturity, and the harder question is one we have not yet asked as a nation: Has the system that governs the Coast Guard grown at the same pace as the Coast Guard itself?

I do not believe it has. The answer, I believe, is a Philippine Coast Guard Commission.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/why-the-coast-guard-needs-a-governance-overhaul/

MESSAGE OF THE CHAIRMANPhilippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center, Inc. (PASLCI)National Heroes Day 2026As we commemorate ...
31/08/2026

MESSAGE OF THE CHAIRMAN
Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center, Inc. (PASLCI)
National Heroes Day 2026

As we commemorate National Heroes Day, we pay tribute to the courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and unwavering love of country of the men and women who devoted their lives to the service of our nation.

Our heroes remind us that patriotism is not measured only by extraordinary acts on the battlefield or by the pages of history. It is also reflected in the everyday acts of integrity, courage, compassion, and selfless service of ordinary Filipinos who choose to place the welfare of our country and fellow citizens above personal interest.

For us at the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center, Inc. (PASLCI), this occasion renews our commitment to contribute, in our own way, to the continuing task of nation-building. We recognize that protecting and responsibly developing our maritime domain is not merely a matter of policy or security—it is part of safeguarding our national heritage, sovereignty, prosperity, and future generations.

May the legacy of our heroes inspire us to work together in building a safer, stronger, more peaceful, and progressive Philippines. May we remain steadfast in our commitment to serve with honor, competence, integrity, and a genuine love for our country.

On this National Heroes Day, let us remember that the call to serve did not end with the heroes of the past. It continues with each generation of Filipinos who are willing to do their part for God, Country, and People.

Mabuhay ang ating mga Bayani!
Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

VADM JOSEPH M. COYME, PCG (Ret.), PhD
Chairman
Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center, Inc. (PASLCI)

TIME TO TELL: I MADE THE RIGHT DECISIONby VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Aug 31, 2026A Reflection on MGen. Edgard...
31/08/2026

TIME TO TELL: I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Aug 31, 2026

A Reflection on MGen. Edgard A. Arevalo’s

“Carry On, Young Blood”

DISCLAIMER: This article reflects solely the personal views, reflections, and opinions of the author. It does not represent, express, or constitute the official position of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI), the Philippine Coast Guard, or any other government, private, or professional organization with which the author is or has been associated. The views expressed herein are offered in the interest of constructive reflection on leadership, institutional continuity, public service, and the author’s personal experience.

The article “Carry On, Young Blood,” authored by MGen. Edgard A. Arevalo, AFP (Ret.), was an enlightenment to me and a timely reminder that, indeed, I made the right decision.

Reading his reflections brought me back to a significant moment during my final years in active service with the Philippine Coast Guard.

A few days after the official publication of Republic Act No. 12122, which amended provisions of Republic Act No. 9993, or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009, and provided for a fixed maximum term for the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard, a Special Command Conference was called and attended by the Major Unit Commanders.

During the conference, the officers present were individually asked for their opinions on the passage of the new law. As the most senior officer present at the time and the Commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command, I was among the first to be called upon.

I expressed my view that the law was, in many ways, a recognition of the increasingly critical role of the Philippine Coast Guard. The organization had assumed greater responsibilities in maritime safety, maritime security, marine environmental protection, law enforcement, and in addressing the challenges confronting our country in the West Philippine Sea.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/time-to-tell-i-made-the-right-decision/

THE DIGITAL BATTLEFIELD BEGINS AT HOMEby VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Aug 22, 2026Protecting Our Children from ...
22/08/2026

THE DIGITAL BATTLEFIELD BEGINS AT HOME
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Aug 22, 2026

Protecting Our Children from Online Gaming-Related Violence, Exploitation and Radicalization

“Protect the player. Protect the child. Protect the community. Protect the nation.”

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Angel Redoble, a respected cybersecurity expert, during an informal gathering with fellow members of PMA Class of 1994. Our conversation gave me a deeper understanding of an emerging threat that deserves the attention of every parent, educator, community leader and government official: the exploitation of online gaming and digital communities to reach, groom, manipulate and potentially radicalize vulnerable young people.

His insights became particularly relevant following recent tragic incidents involving young people and violence in the Philippines. However, we must be careful not to conclude that online gaming caused any particular tragedy. The circumstances, motives and contributing factors surrounding such incidents must be established through proper investigation.

The more important question is whether online environments can be exploited by individuals or networks seeking to influence vulnerable children.

READ MORE: https://paslci.org/article/the-digital-battlefield-begins-at-home/

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