Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena advised yesterday the officers and crew of two ships participating in a maritime exercise in Indonesia to drink coffee and stay awake when passing through Tubbataha Reef so that their vessels would not run aground like the US minesweeper USS Guardian did last January. During a sendoff ceremony, Isorena told the crew of the BRP Corregidor and BRP Pampanga that would take part in this year’s Maritime Pollution Exercise (Marpolex) to stay awake and be alert when they pass by Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea. Isorena reportedly gave five boxes of coffee to the crew of both ships for their trip to Indonesia.

Macairan, E. (2013, June 15). 'Drink coffee, stay awake near Tubbataha'. The Philippine Star, p. 3.