RP Navy chief conferred highest Indonesian military award

The Philippine Star, Saturday, 02 January 2010

By: James Mananghaya

The Indonesian government conferred the highest military
award on Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez
in recognition of his effort to strengthen mutual relations
and security cooperation between the two countries.

Golez was awarded the Bintang Jalasena Utama (Indonesian Navy
Star, 1st Class) by Gen. Djoko Santoso, commander in chief
of the Indonesian National Defense Forces, in a ceremony held in
Jakarta.

The Bintang Jalasena Utama is conferred by the Indonesian
government on members of the Indonesian Navy, civilians,
and foreign nationals for their ability, dedication,
prudence, merit, braveness, and perseverance.

It is covered by a presidential decree based on the
recommendation of the Commandant of the Indonesian Navy
through the Ministry of Defense, and given to an awardee
along with a charter.

The award is Golez's first from a foreign military
establishment in his 37 years in the naval service.

Golez has successfully commanded three ships of the
Philippine Navy and is a recipient of various awards
and commendations.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyuno cited
Golez for his "invaluable services rendered in the
improvement and strengthening of a good joint cooperation
with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in general,
and National Military Navy of both countries in particular."

When Golez was commander of the Naval Forces Eastern
Mindanao from 2006-2007,he was also the vice chairman
and head of delegation of the RP Panel to the
Philippines-Indonesia Border Committee Conference
on two occasions.

As commanding officer of BRP Miguel Malvar (PS 19),
Golez contributed to the successful conduct of the
Philippine Navy-ASEAN Training Cruise in 1994
that visited four countries, including Indonesia.

"The Philippines and Indonesia who both share a
common vision of peace and security in the ASEAN
region annually participate in naval exercises.
In August this year, the Philippine Navy's BRP Quezon
PS70) participated in the Indonesian Fleet Review
in Manado as part of the 64th Independence Day celebration
of Indonesia," Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

Previous recipients of the Bintang Jalasena Utama
include Admiral Elmo Russell Zumwalt Jr., the
youngest to serve as chief of naval operations
of the US Navy, and Admiral Tan Sri Dato' Seri Abu
Bakar bin Abdul Jamal, the chief and the
first four-star admiral of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

2 commando ng Navy pinarangalan

Ngayon, Saturday, 02 January 2010

By: Joy Cantos

Pinarangalan nitong Biyernes ng Philippine
Navy ang labi ng dalawang bayaning commandos na
nagbuwis ng buhay sa pakikipag-engkuwentro sa
nagsanib-puwersang mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf at
rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front sa Basilan
kamakailan.

Ayon kay Navy Spokesman Marine Lt. Col.
Edgard Arevalo, ang bangkay nina Lt. Christopher
Pantaleon ng Philippine Military Academy
PMA Class 2004) at Petty Officer 3rd Class
Almario Manalili ay dumating dakong alas-2:00
ng hapon kamakalawa sa Villamor Air Base sa Pasay
City galing sa Zamboanga City.

Pinangunahan naman ni Navy Flag Officer-in-
Command Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez ang
pagkakaloob ng ceremonial honors sa dalawang
bayaning Navy commandos na ginanap sa Naval
Station Rudiardo Brown sa Naval Station Jose
Francisco sa Taguig City kahapon ng umaga.
Naka-half mast naman ang lahat ng Naval
Stations sa buong bansa bilang pagluluksa sa
pagpanaw ng dalawang Navy commandos.

Naval base in Visayas renamed

Manila Bulletin, Sunday, 13 December 2009

By: Phoebe Jen Indino

CEBU CITY - By virtue of the Philippine Navy General Order No.
229, the Naval Forces Central (NavForCen) which covers the Visayas
Islands was renamed the other day,as the Naval Base Rafael Ramos (NBRR)
in recognition to one of the founding
fathers of the Philippine Navy. Col.Rafael T Ramos.

Vice Admiral Ferdinand S.Golez, the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine
Navy was the principal sponsor of the renaming ceremony of the NavForCen
home base to NBRR which was then the Naval Operating Base Mactan
NOBM)hosted by Naval Forces Central commander Commodore Honorio
Robert Balanon Jr, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to Judyline Cañoneo, information officer of the home base,
previously, the Naval Bases and Marine Facilities of the Philippine Navy
were named after its geographical location, however due to Golez's initiatives,
which aim to honor the memory of many naval personnel who have
greatly contributed prestige and honor to the development of the Philippine
Navy,the home base was named after them.

Moreover, the contribution of Ramos in the Philippine Navy was
highlighted on April 1938 during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon's
administration where the AFP - which is solely the Philippine Army at that
time - was alarmed when a news report about a "mysterious flotilla"was
sighted maneuvering in Davao Gulf.

RP, Indonesia tackle border dispute in gab

By: CARLO P. MALLO, Reporter

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on November 10, 2009.

DEFINING the border of the Philippines and Indonesia is one of issues discussed during the 28th Vice Chairman's Conference of the Philippines-Indonesia Border Committee conducted in Manado , Indonesia last week.

The Philippines and Indonesia are now working together to draw up a clearer definition of the border between the two countries to prevent the overlapping of territorial areas.

"We hope to be able to resolve a few issues in this meeting. And one of them is the definition of mutually agreed coordinated border patrol area between the two countries. We want to have a clearer definition of our border area," said Commodore Ediberto Suria, chief of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) who headed the Philippine delegation during the conference.

The Naval Force chief said there is a strong need to revise the area of coordinated patrol operation because of the changes brought about by the new baseline laws of both countries that were separately passed recently.

He said the coordinated patrol between Indonesia and the Philippines has actually identified certain existing areas but these have to be revised to define a common maritime border patrol area with respect to the new baseline laws.

"There is a need to identify new coordinates for the common maritime border patrol areas to meet the challenging demands of addressing various perceived and possible threats between the two countries," Suria said.

The need to define an agreed median line in the border area has to be mutually agreed upon by both Indonesia and the Philippines .

"Once it will be defined, it will now determine where we can conduct combined or coordinated patrols. Right now, without that median line, we just look at which areas can become the border areas," the NFEM chief said..

At present, the Philippines and Indonesia have three border patrol stations and are currently actively working on ushering business opportunities for the two countries in Mindanao and East Indonesia .

"What we are trying to do here is to as much as possible come up with a formal trade route that would enhance cross-border trading and travel between the two areas. Those passing through the route that we establish would be protected by authorities especially since they also pay the correct tariffs and duties," Suria added. (CPM)