LA UNION. On 22-23 November 2017, the NCWC Secretariat, in partnership with the University of the Philippines – Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS), piloted the first of its Training Course on United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NAVFORNOL), Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, Poro Point, San Fernando City.

The training was conducted among Philippine Navy Officers coming from the Headquarters, NAVFORNOL and PN Vessels Station which aimed to provide appreciation on the UNCLOS and other relevant laws and treaties. Among other matters discussed during the lecture were the following:

• Overview on the Relationship between Domestic Law and International Law and the Distinction of Rights and Obligations of Coastal and Foreign States;
• National Laws Enforced at Sea;
• Jurisdiction and Procedures in Maritime Law Enforcement;
• Rules on the Use of Force (RUF) and Rules of Engagement (ROE)

The participating Officers of the first UNCLOS Training Course requested further training events supportive of their current operations. The same training program is aimed to be conducted at Naval Forces West Palawan in January 2018.