Philippines pulls Spratlys ‘foreign’ posts

By Donna Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Thursday, June 16,2011

The Philippine Navy removed “foreign” markers installed on three reefs and banks in disputed isles off Palawan in May and foiled an attempt last week to reestablish them, officials said on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay on Wednesday told Agence France-Presse that the removal of the wooden posts last month took place just before Manila protested the alleged incursions by the Chinese Navy into Philippine waters.

“These were foreign markers because they were not installed by our military or our government. So we dismantled the markers because they are part of Philippine territory,” the Philippine Navy spokesperson told the French news agency.

Manila has accused Beijing of putting posts and a buoy in Philippine waters, but Tonsay said the Navy had not been able to determine who placed the wooden posts.

“They did not have a ‘Made in China’ label or anything,” Tonsay said, adding the posts had only numbers on them.

The markers were on Iroquois (Amy Douglas) Bank, Recto (Reed) Bank and Boxall Reef, all in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), he said.

“On June 5 again it was reported that our local fishermen found another marker,” said Commodore Edgardo Tamayo, commander of the Naval Forces West based in Palawan.

“I directed our patrol boat to check on the veracity of the report, and that was in Boxall Reef, only about 20 nautical miles [37 kilometers] away from Ayungin Shoal,” Tamayo said in a phone interview.

He said his forces had dismantled the marker on the reef, a Philippine Navy-occupied islet within the chain of islands that the Philippines collectively calls the Kalayaan Island Group. It is located 194 km (105 nautical miles) from mainland Palawan.

Defensive position

In Puerto Princesa City, Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban told the Palawan provincial board that the Armed Forces of the Philippines would take a defensive position if challenged by China.

“We will fire only when fired upon. That is our rule of engagement,” the Western Command chief said on Tuesday, reacting to questions from board members about China’s reported plan to explore for oil in the region.

“In terms of military capability, we are very limited that is why we employ diplomatic means to resolve issues with China,” Sabban later told reporters.

The discovery of the marker in Boxall Reef came in the heels of the discovery on May 24 of steel posts, a buoy and other building materials laid out by Chinese vessels in Iroquois Reef, which the Philippines claims to be within its 370-km (200-nautical-mile) exclusive economic zone.

Manila filed a diplomatic protest over the Iroquois Reef incident, saying China “aggressively violated” the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The 2002 nonbinding agreement signed by member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) and China urges the claimant states to exercise restraint and avoid activities that might escalate tension, such as construction of military facilities and holding war games.

The Spratlys is claimed in whole or in part by six nations—the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

No markings

Tamayo said Filipino fishermen saw activity in Boxall Reef during the first few days of June and then reported to the Navy on June 5 that they had spotted a marker.

“Our floating assets saw and confirmed the marker, the same marker that was found at Amy Douglas. That marker has the same description,” he said.

He said the marker was about 10 feet long and about four inches wide and likened it to a flat bar.

“This was confirmed to be found at the Boxall Reef,” he said, adding the marker was dismantled on June 6.

“We pulled out the marker to serve as evidence to prove that we saw that in that place,” Tamayo added.

“We did not see any markings that will tell us (it came from the) Chinese, (nor) any Chinese characters. So I surmise it is suspected from foreign origin. According to our informants, they suspect it to be Chinese because at that time they witnessed while it is being laid out,” he said.

Code of conduct

Tamayo said the Philippine Navy subscribed to the intention of the Declaration of Conduct to avoid any conflict.

“Personally I should say that following the intention of the conduct, supposedly we should be on status quo, meaning to say that we avoid putting up any particular structures like markers that would raise tension or raise conflict. That was the intention of the code of conduct.

A spokesperson at the Department of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the naval action, but Malacañang was heaving a sigh of relief following a statement by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei that Beijing did not intend to use force in the Spratlys controversy.

“It is something that we will certainly welcome so at least we have in the region an assurance that no use of force will be necessary to resolve the situation here,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

Southeast Asian, US naval forces conduct joint training exercises

By Abigail Kwok

Interaksyon, Wednesday, June 15, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Naval forces from various Southeast Asian countries and the United States are holding joint combined exercises in a bid to improve interoperability and share best practices.

The Philippine Navy has joined the respective navy forces of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States for the annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercises that will be held from June 14 to 24 in the Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. In a statement Tuesday, the Philippine Navy said its units from the Naval Forces West (NFW), Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), and Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) will participate in scenario-driven fleet training exercises against terrorism, transnational crimes and other maritime threats.“Three ships from the three Naval forces of the Philippine Navy will participate in this year’s exercise,” said Navy Captain Sebastian Pan.SEACAT is a yearly combined exercise conducted along vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia to ensure their control from terrorists, poachers, and transnational lawless elements."With this training, the Philippine Navy will be able to enhance regional coordination, information sharing, and combined inter-operability capability with participating navies in the region, test its personnel and naval assets' operational readiness and ultimately, improve the defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," the Philippine Navy said.

interaksyon.com

Spratlys row a test of Philippine president's mettle

By Amando Doronila
Philippina Daily Inquirer, Monday, June 13,2011

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The celebration on Sunday (June 12) of the 113th anniversary of Philippine independence was resonant with the theme of national sovereignty, but it was drowned out by messages concerning the territorial conflict over disputed islands in the South China Sea, including those claimed by the Philippines.

The messages also raised the first foreign policy challenge to the mettle of the Aquino administration to defend Philippine territorial claims to the Spratly Islands.

The first message emanates from the warning by China that the United States should not get involved in the disputes over the Spratly Islands since it is "not a party to the dispute".

The warning came as the Philippines and the United States prepare to hold joint naval exercises starting on June 28 at an undisclosed site where the Philippines' Naval Forces West (Navforwest) operates. The site is believed to be in the Sulu Sea and nearby waters.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines' spokesperson, Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez, said the exercises, called "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training" (Carat), had been programmed since last year.

Officials said the exercises were in accordance with the 1951 Philippines-US Mutual Defence Treaty and aimed at testing the capabilities of the two navies to undertake "freedom of navigation operations".

Heightened tensions

The exercises are going to take place amid heightening tensions in what the Philippines calls the "West Philippine Sea" and the others call the "South China Sea" fueled by Philippine protests over alleged intrusions by Chinese vessels into Philippine territorial waters.

The second message: Against claims by Philippine military authorities that the exercises were planned within the framework of the defence treaty, the United States was less reassuring of military aid if the conflict escalates into an armed confrontation between the Philippines and China.

The US Embassy issued a statement on Saturday (June 11) in reaction to a Malacanang (the presidential palace) statement expressing confidence that Washington would honour its commitment under the defence treaty to come to the aid of an endangered ally.

"The US does not take sides in regional territorial disputes," said US Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson.

Thompson said the United States was "troubled by incidents in the South China Sea in recent days that have raised tensions in the region" and that Washington opposed "the threat of force" by any of the countries with rival claims on the Spratlys.

No automatic clause

The defence treaty is nebulous on the circumstances in which the United States would come in to defend an ally against armed attack. It merely says the treaty partners "declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external armed attack".

There is no automatic US intervention clause to aid attacked allies, and amateur spokespersons in Malacanang are extremely naive to expect automatic US intervention if the conflict escalates into war.

At a security forum in Singapore on June 4, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned that clashes may erupt in the South China Sea unless nations with conflicting claims adopt mechanisms to settle disputes peacefully.

At the same forum, Philippine Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin warned that "actions by other states... unnecessarily make other states like the Philippines worried and concerned". He said such a sense of insecurity also results when ordinary fishermen are warned by foreign vessels to leave the area.

news.yahoo.com

Powerful Warship ng Amerika, sasabak sa War games ng 'Pinas

By Emily Conde
Toro, Lunes, June 13, 2011

PINAWI ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang pangamba na posibleng magdulot lamang ng mas matinding tensyon sa South China Sea ang nakatakdang war games sa pagitan ng pilipinas at Amerika na gagawin ngayong buwan.

Bagama't wala pang tukoy na lugar kung saan gagawin ang nabanggit na military exercises, pero iginiit ni AFP spokesman Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez na hindi gagawa ng hakbang ang Pilipinas na magpapalala sa sitwasyon.

Una ng inihayag ng opisyal na matagal ng naka-kalendaryo ang joint naval exercises na gagawin sa Naval Forces West.

Ang nasabing area of operations ay nasa bahagi lamang ng Sulu Sea.

Binanggit din ni Rodriguez na ang gagawing training ay alinsunod sa umiiral na Mutual Defense Treay ng Pilipinas at Amerika at wala umanong kaugnayan sa pinakahuling tensyong namumuo sa pinag-aagawang teritoryo sa South China Sea.

Kabilang sa sinasabing lalahok sa Navy Drill ay ang guided-missile destroyer na USS Chung-Hoon.

Ang tinuturing na "powerful warships" ng U.S. Navy ay galing pa ng Pearl Harbor sa Hawaii.

Lalahok sa Phl War Games: Powerful Warships ng Amerika

Saksi sa Balita, Monday, June 13, 2011

PINAWI ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang pangamba na posibleng magdulot lamang ng mas matinding tensyon sa South China Sea ang nakatakdang war games sa pagitan ng pilipinas at Amerika na gagawin ngayong buwan.

Bagama't wala pang tukoy na lugar kung saan gagawin ang nabanggit na military exercises, pero iginiit ni AFP spokesman Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez na hindi gagawa ng hakbang ang Pilipinas na magpapalala sa sitwasyon.

Una ng inihayag ng opisyal na matagal ng naka-kalendaryo ang joint naval exercises na gagawin sa Naval Forces West.

Ang nasabing area of operations ay nasa bahagi lamang ng Sulu Sea.

Binanggit din ni Rodriguez na ang gagawing training ay alinsunod sa umiiral na Mutual Defense Treay ng Pilipinas at Amerika at wala umanong kaugnayan sa pinakahuling tensyong namumuo sa pinag-aagawang teritoryo sa South China Sea.

Kabilang sa sinasabing lalahok sa Navy Drill ay ang guided-missile destroyer na USS Chung-Hoon.

Ang tinuturing na "powerful warships" ng U.S. Navy ay galing pa ng Pearl Harbor sa Hawaii.

Phl, US to hold war games

By Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star, Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Philippines and the United States are set to embark on a joint naval exercise late this month, but officials said the tensions in the West Philippine Sea have nothing to do with the programmed war drill.

The military confirmed the holding of the joint naval exercises as China warned the US should not get involved in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea since “the US is not a party to the dispute.”

“The joint naval exercise will start on June 28 at the Naval Forces West (Navforwest),” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez said.

“It has been programmed since last year,” Rodriguez added. There has been no announcement yet of the specific location of the military exercises but Navforwest operates mainly in the Sulu Sea and nearby waters.

The planned naval exercise, called “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training” or CARAT, is in accordance with the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US, officials said.

This year’s CARAT exercise is aimed at testing the capability of the two navies to undertake “freedom of navigation operations.”

Philippine military officials announced the coming naval maneuvers amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea stoked by alleged intrusions by Chinese vessels into Philippine waters and into disputed territories, particularly the Spratly Islands Group.

Vietnam earlier announced plans for a nine-hour live fire naval exercise tentatively set for tomorrow off central Quang Nam province, apparently in response to increased Chinese activities near the Spratlys.

The US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon is underway to participate in the CARAT.

Considered as one of the most powerful warships in the US Navy, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer left its home port at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii late last week and may now be in international waters near the Sulu Sea.

AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said the arrival of Chung-Hoon has nothing to do with the territorial spat with China.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the US Navy vessel has yet to make contact and that it might have to complete a separate mission before sailing to the Philippines.

“There’s no need for them (Chung-Hoon officers) to coordinate with us their activities while they are still in international waters. They will inform us anyway once they reach port. Maybe they have other activities before CARAT,” Tonsay said.

He said the details of the coming joint naval war drill are still being worked out. “We are having a planning conference next week,” he said.

Counting on US

Malacañang, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the country can count on US support in defending its sovereignty but emphasized the preeminence of diplomacy in settling territorial disputes.

“We are committed to the resolution of the issue in the most diplomatic and the most peaceful way possible. I haven’t seen the terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) quite recently but I know that as an ally the United States will help should it reach that point because of the Mutual Defense Treaty,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

She said the AFP leadership would likely take up the territorial issue in the upcoming Philippines-US Mutual Defense Board meeting in Hawaii in August, but she is not aware if President Aquino has specific instructions to Oban.

“As a security issue, that will depend entirely on Gen. Oban. But since it is a security issue, it is normal to talk about the issue in that kind of meeting, but I imagine one way or the other, it will be discussed,” Valte said.

China cautions US

China, meanwhile, cautioned the US to keep its hands off the issue.

“What should be done to settle the territorial dispute should be done on the basis of a bilateral term so the US is not a party to the dispute,” Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said during a forum on Thursday at the Chinese embassy.

“I understand its (US) concern which is really unnecessary, after all this maritime water has always been safe and peaceful,” Liu said.

“We’ve been all trying to make this area a peaceful, stable one and so far the navigation in this area has always been safe and peaceful. So there’s no excuse for an intervention in this area,” Liu said.

“The territorial dispute is a dispute between the claimant parties, not really with a country that’s outside this region that has no relevance to the territorial dispute in this region,” he added.

The ambassador also said any visit by Philippine lawmakers to the disputed territories would be tantamount to encroachment.

Also on Friday, the US said it is troubled by tensions in the South China Sea and urged countries with stakes in the region to work for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

“We’ve been troubled by some of these reports about the South China Sea and believe they only serve to raise tensions and don’t help with the peace and security of the region,” said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

“We support a collaborative diplomatic process... and call on all claimants to conform all of their claims, both land and maritime, to international law,” he said.

Rep. Neri Colmenares of the militant party-list group Bayan Muna, for his part, urged President Aquino yesterday not to involve the US in the Spratlys dispute.

He said the US has no business meddling in the Spratlys issue “because it is not part of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) or even Asia.”

“The forum for the resolution of the issue is ASEAN plus China,” he said.

He added that the Aquino administration should not accept excess defense equipment supposedly being dangled by the US in exchange for its being allowed to meddle in the Spratlys conflict.

Earlier, he urged the administration to elevate the Spratlys issue to ASEAN or the United Nations.

Let DFA do the talking

Sen. Francis Escudero said Aquino’s aides should refrain from issuing statements on the issue and let officials trained in diplomacy do the job.

Escudero, an ally of Aquino, was reacting to Valte’s declaration of confidence in US readiness - in accordance with the MDT - to help the country in the event of open hostilities with China.

Escudero said the DFA should do the talking “instead of the Palace through its spokesperson in order to avoid any faux pas on our part.”

“I urge Palace officials to carefully review the MDT and read through its fine print and get confirmations from the US government through its ambassador if indeed this situation is covered or what the limitations there may be to the application of the MDT from the point of view of the US government,” Escudero said.

Escudero said US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., while calling for the full implementation of the 2002 Declaration of Conduct between China and ASEAN, also appealed for calm and stressed that Washington takes no side on the issue.

“I really am hopeful that this issue can be settled without bloodshed and if at all this should escalate, we really have an ally in the US not only as stipulated in the MDT but as a gesture of long-standing friendship,” Escudero said.

“The last thing we like to see happening is to be encouraged and to be emboldened to fight with an assurance of an ally but find ourselves alone in the field. Only because we did not do our own compliance, like checking what we really have in fine print with the US,” he added.

philstar.com

NCRCom to help PSG, PNP secure 113th Independence Day celebration

By Mario J Mallari
The Daily Tribune, Saturday, June 11, 2011

The military’s National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) will deploy 500 personnel to assist the Presidential Security Group and the Philippine National Police in securing the 113th Independence Day celebration tomorrow.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said aside from the 500 NCRCom troops to be deployed, the AFP also mobilized 300 follow on forces, three Civil Disturbance Management units and two communications teams on stand-by as possible reinforcements.

The AFP was primarily tasked to secure Rizal Park in Manila where a grand parade is scheduled; Monumento in Caloocan City and the Museleo de Veteranos de la Revolucion or the Manila North Cemetery.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is in full participation as we rejoice together with the nation in commemorating the 113 years of our independence,” Oban said.

Parading elements composed of one battalion each from the Philippine Army, AFP General Headquarters, Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Composite Enlisted Women; two battalions from the Peacekeeping Contingent and 121 personnel from the AFP Band will join the Kalayaan Grand Parade.

More than a hundred military personnel will carry the Philippine Flag and the AFP Colors which consist of the AFP units’ flags. Rear Adm. Orwen J. Cortez will lead as the parading element’s troop commander.

The military component participating in the parade at Quirino Grandsatnd will be comprised of more than a thousand regular troops and cadets from the PMA.

The Philippine Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Team will also stage an exhibition to be followed by the PMA Silent Drill Company of Class 2013 at the Quirino Grandstand.

The AFP will also conduct a free public concert dubbed “Musikalayaan” or music for peace at the Open Air Auditorium in Rizal Park, Manila today to be participated in by the uniformed bands of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Naval Construction Brigade.

“In the spirit of the IPSP Bayanihan, these activities exemplify our expression of great pride of our beloved country and to always bear in our mind the continuous pursuance of protecting the Filipino nation’s freedom and sovereignty,” Oban said.

tribuneonline.org

AFP, PNP beef up security measures for Independence Day celeb

By Jell E. Guzman
PIA Press Release, Saturday, June 11, 2011

QUEZON CITY, June 11 (PIA) -– The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) is beefing up security measures in preparation for the celebration of the 113th Philippine Independence on Sunday, June 12, 2011.

AFP chief General Eduardo Oban said the whole Armed Forces rejoice with the nation in commemorating 113 years of Philippine independence.

PNP chief Raul M. Bacalzo also directed all police units to intensify police visibility, checkpoint operations, and mobile and foot patrol in accordance with the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS).

Around 500 personnel from the AFP’s National Capital Region Command (AFP NCRCOM) will be deployed to complement personnel from the PNP and Presidential Security Group (PSG) to ensure security in Rizal Park, Manila; Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan; Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan; and Mauseleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, Manila North Cemetery.

Aside from the 500 AFP personnel that will be deployed, the AFP has also put on standby some 300 follow on forces, three Civil Disturbance Management (CMD) units, and two communications teams.

On Sunday, June 12, parading elements composed of one battalion each from the Philippine Army, AFP General Headquarters, Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Composite Enlisted Women; 2 battalions from the Peacekeeping Contingent and 121 personnel from the AFP Band will join the Kalayaan (freedom) Grand Parade.

Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez will lead the troop of more than 100 military personnel who will be carrying the Philippine Flag and the AFP Colors.

The AFP Philippine Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Team will have an exhibition to be followed by a silent drill to be performed by PMA Class of 2013 at the Quirino Grandstand.

Meanwhile, the AFP and the PNP will also hold a free public concert dubbed as “Musikalayaan” or music for peace at the Open Air Auditorium in Rizal Park, Manila on Saturday, June 11.

“In the spirit of the Bayanihan, these activities exemplify our expression of great pride of our beloved country, and to always bear in mind the continuous pursuance of protecting the Filipino nation’s freedom and sovereignty,” said Oban. (AFP/PIA-NCR/RJB/JEG)

pia.gov.ph

No Dampened Spirit

Photo by Marianne Bermudez

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Friday, June 10, 2011

NO DAMPENED SPIRIT. Even in parade rehearsals, it rains, but this did not stop members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from attending the practice as part of preparations for the celebration of Independence Day on Sunday. Officials say it’s going to be an austere event.

inquirer.net

Soldiers march under rain to practice celebration parade for 113 Years of Freedom

By PNA
Balita, Friday, June 10, 2011

MANILA, June 9 –- Although drenched in the rain dumped by tropical depression “Dodong,” soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) services held their rehearsal Thursday for the military-civic parade set on Sunday afternoon at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in celebration of the 133 years of Philippine freedom and sovereignty.

“The AFP is in full participation as we rejoice together with the nation in commemorating the 113 years of our independence,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr. said.

Following Thursday's rehearsal at the AFP General Headquarters parade grounds in Quezon City, another practice parade will be held at the Quirino Grandstand on Friday. This is part of AFP’s participation in the series of events that will highlight the June 12 celebration.

On Sunday, soldiers composed of one battalion each from the Philippine Army, AFP General Headquarters, Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Composite Enlisted Women, and two battalions from the Peacekeeping Contingent and 121 personnel from the AFP Band will join the Kalayaan (freedom) Grand Parade at the Quirino Grandstand.

There will be over 100 military personnel carrying the Philippine Flag and the AFP Colors which consist of the AFP units’ flags.

Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez will lead as the parading elements’ troop commander.

On the same day, the AFP Philippine Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Team will have an exhibition, to be followed by the PMA Silent Drill Company of Class 2013.

The AFP will also be conducting a free public concert dubbed as “Musikalayaan” or music for peace at the Open Air Auditorium in Rizal Park, Manila on June 11, to be participated in by the uniformed bands of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Naval Construction Brigade.

“In the spirit of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, these activities exemplify our expression of great pride of our beloved country and to always bear in our mind the continuous pursuance of protecting the Filipino nation’s freedom and sovereignty,” Oban said.

balita.ph

Marine witness in ‘Hello Garci’ honored by TOPS MARINE Col. Alexander Baluta

By Victor Reyes
Malaya, Tuesday, June 7, 2011

MARINE Col. Alexander Balutan, the officer who claimed to have witnessed the rigging of the 2004 presidential elections by allies of former President Gloria Arroyo in Lanao del Sur, was chosen one of this year’s Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS).

Balutan, now commander of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Sultan Kudarat, said it is an honor for him to be recognized by the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro which sponsored the search.

In a phone interview, Balutan said he is proud to be looked up to as a role model for Filipino soldiers amid allegations of corruption in the 120,000-strong Armed Forces.

Balutan was not able to attend the initial presentation of the TOPS awardees in Camp Aguinaldo as he is supervising relief operations in Central Mindanao. The winners were announced by Metrobank Foundation chair Aniceto Sobrepeña.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1983, Balutan was credited Balutan for getting political leaders in Lanao and Marawi City to commit to a peace covenant months before the 2004 presidential elections, and for capturing the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Camp Bidal during the military’s all-out war against the secessionist group in 2000.

He was also recognized for leading six "major" operations that resulted in the death of seven MILF rebels, apprehension of 19 others and rescue of a number of kidnap victims.

In September 2005, Balutan and then 1st Marine Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani told the Senate inquiry on the controversial ‘Hello Garci’ tapes how they witnessed the rigging of the elections in Lanao del Sur. The two Marine officers defied the military leadership’s order not to appear before the Senate inquiry without explicit authority from commander-in-chief Gloria Arroyo, who herself was being implicated in the vote-rigging.

Military probers subsequently subjected Balutan and Gudani to a pre-trial investigation preparatory to possible court martial for violation of Article of War 65 (willful violation of a superior officer) and AW 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline). The cases did not reach the military tribunal for a formal trial as they prescribed after two years.

Col. Daniel Lucero, Balutan’s classmate and present commander of the Army’s 103rd Brigade in Lanao del Sur, was also chosen a TOPS awardee for his "24/7 availability to the media, along with his skillful handling, allowed him to effectively respond to the negative feedback thrown against the AFP during his assignment as spokesman."

It also noted that the 18th Infantry Battalion was given the Army’s streamer award in 2001 while Lucero was battalion commander.

Incidentally, it was Lucero’s battalion that spread a poster of wanted Abu Sayyaf terrorists in various places in Basilan. The poster erroneously included the picture of a Manila-based female journalist who frequented Mindanao to cover military activities in the region.

The eight other awardees are Col. Raul del Rosario, assistant chief of Air Staff for Intelligence, for leading a tactical air reconnaissance in the disputed Spratlys in 1997; Air Force M/Sgt. Ma. Teresa Bitong for "providing guard to the late President Corazon Aquino during the most fraught years in her presidency." She was awarded a Gold Cross Medal for serving as helicopter gunner while extricating wounded soldiers Basilan in 1993; Army engineer Col. Alexis Tamondong, Army M/Sgt. Sixto Navarrosa, Army Chief M/Sgt. Billy Benebile, Marines T/Sgt. Rommel Carbon, Navy Data Processor 3 Jairus Cenabre, and Air Force M/Sgt. Nelson Mercado.

The 10 will receive their trophies and P300,000 each on June 27 in ceremonies to be graced by President Aquino.

malaya.com.ph

Rigged bidding denied in copter acquisition

By Victor Reyes

News Malaya, Wednesday, 06 October 2010

MILITARY officials yesterday dismissed allegations that technical specifications of aircraft being acquired under the Armed Forces modernization program were tailored to favor a specific supplier or manufacturer.

The bidding processes for the acquisition of seven attack helicopters for the Air Force, worth PJ.2 billion, and two multi-role helicopters for the Navy, worth P860 million, were suspended by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Allegations of collusion between defense officials and suppliers were aired last month by Representatives Teddy Casillo and Tomas Osmena during a House hearing on the DND's proposed budget for 2011.

The bids for the attack helicopters were opened last month and only one firm, PZL Swidnik of Poland, submitted an offer. The opening of bids for the Navy helicopters was supposed to be held last Monday. Swidnik is again participating in the bidding.

Swidnik, said to be the largest helicopter manufacturer in Poland, has bagged a number of DND contracts, including last year's P2.8 billion worth of eight combat utility helicopters for the Air Force.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguei Ernesto Okol said technical specifications are prepared by an Air Force project management team "based on doctrine and based on actual operational use."

Okol also noted that after completion of the preparation of the technical specifications, the output is forwarded for review of the Air Force Weapons Systems Board. This then goes to the AFP capability development planning team and then to the AFP Weapons Systems Board.

"Once it's ironed out at the AFP, meaning properly explained, this is kicked upstairs," said Okol, referring to the DND which supervises the bidding process.

"They are the ones inviting (bidders) and the Air Force is supposed to be one step backward already," he said.

"It is impossible for us to rig that (technical specifications) to cater to anybody's requirements," Okol also said.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said the technical specifications for the Navy's multi-role helicopters were provided by the Navy, considering the peculiarities of Fleet-Marine operations that require such assets in the conduct of various operations, including counter-terrorism and search and rescue.