Manila, Aug. 5 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed Maseh Zarif, staff director of Select Committee on China of the United States House of Representatives, at its national headquarters in Port Area, Manila, to discuss maritime cooperation and the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement on Wednesday, the PCG said the meeting on Monday reaffirmed the longstanding partnership and alliance between the Philippines and the U.S., with discussions focusing on maritime security cooperation, search and rescue interoperability, capacity building and the collective pursuit of a free, open and rules-based maritime domain.

During the meeting, PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan underscored the continued advancement of the bilateral relati...