Aquino vows to fight for Manila sea claims

By Maria Nikka A.Garriga

Manila Times, Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar arrives at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila, on Tuesday. A Philippine Navy officer tours President Benigno Aquino 3rd and other officials during an inspection of the facilities of the Hamilton-class cutter. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino on Tuesday vowed a stronger military defense of the country’s West Philippine Sea claims as the Philippine Navy’s newest warship sailed into Manila Bay from the United States.

www.manilatimes.com

‘BRP Gregorio del Pilar’ makes port

By Victor Reyes
Malaya, Monday, August 22, 2011

THE Navy’s largest and newly acquired ship arrived from the United States yesterday morning and will be formally welcomed by President Aquino tomorrow.

Navy chief Vice Adm. Alexander Pama boarded the ship at the Manila Bay anchorage and had lunch (boodle fight) with the 95 officers and men, led by Capt. Alberto Cruz, who sailed the Hamilton cutter from San Francisco on July 18.

Pama said the ship had to undergo "customs, quarantine and immigration" inspection as part of procedures for ships coming from abroad.

After the arrival ceremony on Tuesday, the ship to be named BRP Gregorio del Pilar will undergo dry-docking and repainting. Its color will be changed from white to gray which is the official color of the Navy.

The ship will be deployed at the West Philippine Sea where the country has a vast maritime interest to protect.

The 44-year-old ship was acquired from the US Coast Guard through the US Excess Defense Articles program.

President Aquino, accompanied by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, will lead the formal welcome ceremony for the ship and its crew at the South Harbor. Guests will have the chance to tour the ship.

Pama said the ship will be an "icon to the revival of the capability upgrade of the Philippine Navy."

"This will be a symbol of our seriousness (in upgrading the Navy capability). Because we are a maritime nation, this will jumpstart our revival of our Navy’s capability," he also said.

www.malaya.com.ph

Aquino's developer turns out to be Malaysian

By Joyce Pangco Pañares
Manila Standard Today, Saturday, June 9, 2011

A GOVERNMENT-backed Malaysian developer has emerged as the proponent of the redevelopment of the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard that President Aquino announced in his State-of-the-Nation Address last year.

According to a Philippine Navy briefing paper, no less than Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi wrote Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to push the proposal of Malaysian Resources Corp. Berhad to award the lease not only of the Navy headquarters but also of the Sangley naval base.

The Malaysian defense minister, in his letter to Gazmin in January this year, proposed that the Roxas Boulevard and Sangley redevelopment be pursued “through a government-to-government arrangement under the ambit of the RP-Malaysia Defense Cooperation,” the Navy briefing paper said.

The Malaysian developers want to turn the Navy headquarters into a mixed-use development and build a bigger shipbuilding yard out of the Sangley base in Cavite.

Contrary to Mr. Aquino’s pronouncement that the proponent was willing to pay $100 million to lease the Navy property, a Malaysian delegation said their proposal offered no such payment and was instead based on profit-sharing.

According to the Navy briefing paper, Gazmin in turn told the Malaysian delegation that the Finance Department was “not supportive” of their proposal.

It wasn’t clear what the Finance Department’s objections were to the Malaysian proposal, which turned out to have been substituted from a Singapore-led consortium, First Link, when the first unsolicited proposal was submitted to the Philippine Navy in April 2010.

manilastandardtoday.com

Aquino okays new designation of five generals, flag officers

By PNA

Zamboanga Times, Wednesday, July 6, 2011

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has approved the designation of five Generals and Senior Officers to key-positions in the military, effective last June.

Upon the recommendation of the Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, two Brigadier Generals, two Colonels and a Navy Captain were appointed to key-positions in the AFP by the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8186, as amended by R.A. No. 9188, otherwise known as the Act Strengthening the Professionalism in the AFP.

Brig. Gen. Cipriano D. Gundao, the former Acting Commander Philippine Air Force Air Logistics Command, now formally holds the said position.

Brigadier General Joel C. Marayag, previously the Commander of the 1st Air Division, is now the Deputy Chief of Staff for the AFP Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9.

Colonel Luis C. Vinoya Jr., former Chief Army Management Information Center from the Philippine Army, is now the Chairman of the AFP General Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee. Col. Danilo H. Peñafiel, prior to being the Deputy Commander of the Air Education and Training Command of the Philippine Air Force was the Deputy Wing Commander, 355th Aviation Engineering Wing.

Captain Abraham F. Celzo of the Philippine Navy, previously the Deputy Commander is now the Commander of the Naval Forces in Southern Luzon.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines is committed in further strengthening professionalism within its ranks. The designation of new positions is part of the dynamics of the organization which is vital in carrying out our mission effectively. We shall expect great things from these newly appointed officers in order to make our goals happen," AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Eduardo SL Oban Jr. said. (PNA)

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Unidentified foreign jet scares PH fishermen - Navy chief

By Abigail Kwok

Interaksyon, Monday, July 4, 2011

MANILA, Philippines -- An unidentified foreign jet recently scared local

fishermen in the area of the disputed Spratly Islands, according to sketchy reports reaching Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama.

The foreign jet "buzzed" a local fishing boat at the Dalagang Bukid Shoal, located some 131 miles from Balabac Island in Palawan.

Pama said on Monday the reported intrusion occurred between June 2 and June 4. The local fishermen reported that the jet flew some 20 to 30 feet above the fishing boat, "buzzing" the fishermen and scaring them away.

"These fishermen they couldn't identify the jet. They just reported loud sound above them, then they got nervous," Pama said, citing sketchy information reaching him.

Pama said the jet "was definitely not ours."

The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all claim territory in the South China Sea, which Manila recently started referring to as West Philippine Sea, after China insisted it had sovereignty even over areas included in the Philippines's 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said at least six incursions were made by Chinese troops this year, triggering diplomatic protests from the Philippines.

interaksyon.com

Philippines will not buy second hand naval equipment from the US

By Barbara Mae Dacanay
Gulf News, Monday, July 4,2011

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippine government might not buy but lease the equipment from the United States, adding the aim is to become a strong US allyManila: The Philippines will not buy second hand naval equipment from its ally, the United States, said a senior official who announced the arrival of long range aircraft that will oversee the country's claim on the contested South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and the Spratly Archipelago.

The government will soon have very long range patrol aircraft and also watercraft on the West Philippine Sea, facing the eastern seaboard of the country, said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

"We have to see if we can afford it," Gazmin also said.

He did not give details about the amount to be spent for the equipment and the manner of payment for the said purchase.

Upgrading the Philippine Navy was estimated to cost P 11 billion ($ 252 million).

Chinese forces opened fire on Filipino fishermen, harassed a Philippine oil exploration and erected structures on six areas on Philippine territory, the Philippines complained earlier.

Philippine President Aquino called for US assistance because of these problems. Then Manila baptized the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea.

Like Manila, Vietnam also accused China of activities that increased tension in the South China Sea.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippine government might not buy but lease the equipment from the United States, adding the aim is to become a strong US ally.

The list of the Philippine government was already given to the US Navy, he added. The new equipment will supplant the F5 fighter jets which were retired in 2005. The Philippine Navy is still using World War II vintage Rajah Humabon, a former US Navy frigate.

In reaction, militant groups said that the Philippine government might have allowed the United States to stockpile naval equipment at the South China Sea.

They also blamed President Benigno Aquino for drawing the US into the contested claims on the South China Sea and the Spratly Archipelago.

In 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected the US-proposed extension of the now defunct Military Bases Agreement. Since then, the Philippines stopped hosting of the largest two US overseas war facilities in central Luzon. The former US Naval Airbase in Olongapo, Zambales and the Clark Air Base in Angeles, Pampanga were transformed into commercial use.

But soon after, the US has proposed to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the establishment of non-permanent US bases in the Pacific region.

This was not yet acted upon.

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim the whole of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei claim some parts of the Spratly Archipelago.

gulfnews.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

Navy arrests 122 Vietnamese poachers

By Mario J. Mallari

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Arrested Vietnamese poachers, aboard seven fishing vessels, off the waters of Palawan province last Monday reportedly hoisted Philippine Flags to their boats, apparently to avoid being monitored as intruders by government security forces patrolling the area.

A total of 122 Vietnamese fishermen are now under custody of the Balabac Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Palawan after Navy sea borne patrol, led by Maj. Ferdinand Atos of the Naval Station Balabac, caught them within the country’s territorial waters off Balabac.

Aboard F/V Z-M 001, 0002, 003, 004, 005, 006 and 007, the Vietnamese were reportedly caught hoisting Philippine Flags while fishing.

Western Command (Wescom) spokesman Maj. Niel Estrella said that the Navy troops initially inquired for identification from the Vietnamese but could not answer back.

“The encroaching Vietnamese vessels were found to be flying Philippine flags but when our sea borne patrol approached for verification and identification purposes, the crew members could not speak Tagalog,” Estrella said.

The Navy operatives, along with members of the Balabac MPS, subsequently apprehended the Vietnamese and brought them to the local police headquarters.

The latest intrusion in the country’s territorial waters off Palawan province happened while Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. were visiting Wescom.

Gazmin’s short visit to Wescom was prompted by recent reports of intrusion by unidentified jet fighters within Philippine-occupied territories at the disputed Spratly group of islands on South China Sea.

The Defense chief instructed AFP troops to remain vigilant in conducting air and sea patrol along the country’s territorial waters.

Gazmin’s visit also came after the visit of Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie amid tension brought about by the reported buzzing of alleged Chinese MIG-29 jetfighters against Philippine Air Force OV-10 Broncos. The Chinese official denied having MIG29s in their inventory.

Only last March, two Chinese patrol boats harassed a Department of Energy exploration vessel at the Philippine-occupied Reed Bank on the disputed Spratlys on South China Sea, which are being claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Tribuneonline.org

In the navy

Photo By Sonny Espiritu

Manila Standard Today, Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin troops the line during the Navy's 113th founding anniversary. At left, is Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, flag officer in command.

Former finance sec, private sector move to save the PH navy

By Donna Z Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Prominent figures in politics, business and civil society, led by former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao, have taken up the cudgels for the Philippine Navy by leading a fund-raising and support drive.

They have taken it upon themselves to organize a foundation that seeks to marshal support and resources from the private sector to support the Navy’s modernization and capability-building programs.

They would serve as the founding board of trustees of the “Support Your Navy Foundation”, which was formally launched Tuesday during the Navy’s 113rd anniversary rites.

The multi-sectoral group, however, has served as board of advisers to the Navy since last year.

“We accepted the invitation of the Flag Officer in Command (Vice Admiral Alexander Pama) to serve as board of advisers to save the Navy because we wanted to bring down the many walls keeping the various sectors of society apart,” Estanislao told Navy officers and personnel during the anniversary program.

“We decided to take the lead … We want to say that our Philippine Navy can not do it alone. Our Navy needs the support of all sectors,” added Estanislao, who is chairman of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia.

In his own speech, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin did not mince words as he described the Navy’s state as “truly deplorable” since it has no modern ships and vessels, and hardly any aircraft. The Navy is still using 65-year-old warships from World War II.

“We have thus solicited the support of our stakeholders through the representation of the members of the Navy board of advisers, like-minded professionals who believe in the advocacies of the Navy,” Pama said during the anniversary.

He said the board of advisers has “voluntarily champion(ed) such well-meaning cause through their wise counsel and sound advice on the Navy’s strategic concerns.”

Estanislao said the Support your Navy Foundation would serve as a “major bridge” between the Navy and the private sector to achieve the Navy Sail Plan goal of becoming a “strong and credible Navy” by 2020.

“We believe that together we can become a great maritime nation. We hope we can contribute to a strong Navy,” he said.

The other members of the foundation’s board of trustees are former senator Leticia Shahani; Development Bank of the Philippines president Francisco Del Rosario; Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos; National Economic and Development Authority Deputy Director General Margarita Songco; newspaper columnist Jarius Bondoc, former defense undersecretary and Asia Pacific Security Forum president Rodel Cruz; retired vice admiral Eduardo Santos; Asian Architects co-managing partner Miguel Guerrero; University of the Philippines professor Aileen Baviera; lawyer Antonio Oposa; and Doris Magsaysay-Ho of the Magsaysay Group of Companies.

Pama and Capt. Augustus Iglesia who is director of the Naval Resource Management Office, will serve as ex-officio trustees.

Capt. Giovanni Bacordo, director of the Center for Naval Leadership and Excellence, said the foundation would help fund Navy programs since seventy per cent of their budget goes to personnel salaries, while the rest goes to maintenance and operating expenses so there is hardly left for capital outlay.

“Through this foundation, we will no longer be one hundred per cent dependent on the GAA (General Appropriations Act) for the things we need,” he said.

Bacordo said donations to be raised by the foundation may include equipment upgrades, scholarships for Navy personnel, housing facilities and other morale and welfare programs.

He said the foundation would be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June or July.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said through the foundation, well-meaning private groups and individuals could actively participate in the Navy’s programs.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

DND chief graces PHL Navy’s 113th anniversary rites

By PNA and Southern California News Agency/ Asian

The Southern California Pinoy News, Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin graced the 113th founding anniversary on Tuesday of the Philippine Navy (PN) at the PN headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila.

The celebration had the theme, “A Vital Partner for Peace, Security and Development of our Maritime Nation.”

Highlight of the event was the launching of the “Support your PN Foundation,” send-off ceremony for gunboats BRP Manuel Gomez (PG388), BRP Emilio Liwanag (PG118), and supply ship BRP Dagupan City (LC551) and Static Equipment Display and Demonstration.

The two gunboats and the supply ships are for anti-terror security operations in the Sulu Sea next week.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the gunboats are deployed under the Fleet-Marine concept, the Navy’s program devoted to fighting terror in several areas of Western Mindanao.

“They are bringing in supplies and logistics to our units in Western Mindanao. Included in their mission is the conduct of maritime security patrols,” Tonsay said.

Commander Kenneth Tingabngab of the Navy’s Modernization Office said the two gunboats were acquired from South Korea and were upgraded in Navotas City.

He said the Philippine government paid only US$ 100 for the repair of each ship as these were practically donated by South Korea as a goodwill measure.

The 110-foot tall patrol mediums were manufactured in the 1980s and primarily for patrolling and interdiction.

usnewslasvegas.asia

RP Navy in dire need of choppers

By Dona Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, 06 October 2010

THE PHILIPPINE Navy has no helicopters left since its remaining helicopter crashed off Zamboanga nearly two months ago killing two junior but seasoned Navy pilots.

Navy spokesperson Lt. Col. Edgardo Arevalo said he could not stress enough the "urgency" of their need for helicopters after the Department of National Defense suspended the bidding for an P851-million Contract for two new helicopters.

"We hope that the issue can be resolved really soon. We have an acute need for air assets like helicopters. Right now we do not have any helicopter," he said. On Aug. 17, a Navy Bolkow helicopter PNH411 crashed off Zamboanga City in the middle of a training session.

Three passengers survived while the remains of pilots Lt. Tristan Joseph Corpuz and Lt. Junior Grade Jayrald Tamayo were recovered two days later.Arevalo said they need helicopters for search and rescue operations, resupply and deployment of personnel.

"The Navy however, defers to the decision of higher headquarters for a process that may be required for the procurement of these much needed aircraft for the Naval

Air Group," he added. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin ordered a 30-day probe into a possible collusion between defense officials and a supplier since the same company which had already cornered two Air Force contracts worth P6 billion emerged as one of only two bidders for the Navy contract.

Aside from suspending the bidding for the Navy contract, Gazmin also deferred the award to PZL Swidnik SA of Poland of a P3.2-billion contract to supply seven Air Force attack helicopters. Swidnik also won the P2.8 billion contract to supply eight Air Force combat utility helicopters.