RP's first line of defense vs external security threat almost done

By JAIME LAUDE

The Philippine STAR NEWS SUNDAY, MAY 16,2010 page 10

The country's first line of
defense against external security
threats is already 60 percent complete with just a few
adjustments to make it fully operational, Navy chief Rear
Admiral Danilo Cortez announced
yesterday. Dubbed Coast Watch Philippines,
Cortez said this first line of defense is envisioned
after Coast Watch South now in full operation and monitoring
major activities in the sea lanes, particularly in southern
Mindanao. Coast Watch South is a combined anti-terror under-.
taking by the United States, Australian and Philippine
governments to monitor and intercept local and foreign terrorists
leaving and entering the country through the southern
backdoor, The US and British governments
have installed monitoring systems at various key points in the country.
"Our Coast Watch Philippines is 60 percent complete
and I intend to pursue this project under my watch as
Navy chief," Cortez said. Cortez took over the reign
of the more than 20,000-strong Navy yesterday, succeeding
Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez who retired from the service.
After installation of these radar monitoring systems are
completed, Cortez said technical people will be working
to "harmonize and integrate operations" of the two systems
to be fully operational. Cortez declined to elaborate
on the details of the project for security reasons.
It was learned, however, the project involved key government
and private agencies that are sending out actual time
information on what is happening in the country's major
sea lanes. "We will endeavor to enhance
the connectivity of the existing and newly-built radar
stations with the Coast Watch Center. Once fully operational,
we can monitor all significant activities in all of the country's
major sea lanes," Cortez said. A Naval officer added Coast
Watch Philippine will function
just like the US's 911,wherein people will be manning its
nerve center and relay all significant events monitored via
installed radar stations in key points of the country.
"This will not only involve the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) but other government agencies. If they see
something illegal like smuggling and illegal fishing activities,
the center will immediately relay this to the nearest
Naval or Coast Guard st1tion for immediate action," the official
said. The same procedures will also be followed if there are air
or sea intrusions by unfriendly military forces or unidentified
vessels or aircraft, "So this is our first line of defense. If the threat is
monitored on the country's airspace, the Air Force will
be immediately informed for appropriate action. If it is on
the sea, then our Navy will be dispatched," the officer said.

Cortez assumes command of Navy

By ELENA L. ABEN

Sunday, May 16, 2010 page 1

Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez Saturday
assumed as the transition Flag
Officer-in-Command of the Philippine
Navy, taking over from Vice Admiral
Ferdinand Golez, who has reached
the mandatory age of 56.
Cortez, who is the 31st FOIC of
the Navy, will be holding over the
post until such time that the incoming
President and Commander-in-Chief
will appoint a regular FOIC.
Golez, meanwhile, has been requested
by Defense Secretary Norberto
Gonzales to continue to serve
at least 45 days more as adviser to
the defense chief and to the Office of
the National Security Adviser. Golez
has accepted the offer.
In assuming the post, Cortez
thanked Golez for entrusting to him
the flag for acknowledging his
capability to continue the mission
which he (Golez) has started for the
Navy.
"We are truly thankful for the way
you have led the Philippine Navy. Indeed,
you are the epitome of the Navy
way of service," Cortez said in acknowledging
his predecessor's leadership.
Cortez, at the same time, vowed to
continue and aspire to complete the
programs that were started by Golez,
including the acquisition of multi-role
vessels (MRVs), all geared towards
the vision of becoming a strong and
credible Navy that the our maritime
nation deserves.
"I will guarantee that I will continue
the voyage Vice Admiral Golez has set
for us and work out of the box to hasten
its accomplishment," Cortez stated. "I
may not be able to inject new programs
during my stay as your FOIC, but I
promise to bring you closer to the attainment
of our vision," he added.
Golez on the other hand, said that
for the 22months of his stint as head of
the Navy, he led the organization
into exerting all efforts for the accomplishment
of programs that will allow
the Navy to move forward.
"I have planted seeds of commitment
and dedication to every sailor and
marine for them to grow individually
and collectively," said Golez, even as he
enjoined the officers, men and women
of the Navy to continue to pursue what
he has already started for them.
In describing what he has done in
his 22months as Navy FOIC, Golez had
this to share: Beyond the horizon of
my dreams now lie the outcome of our
efforts of today making us all aware of
the value of a Navy for the progress and
development of this maritime nation. A
commitment we will all share."
Meanwhile, Gonzales, who presided
over the turnover ceremony, said
Golez may have reached the end of
his military career but not as a public
servant. He said he has offered Golez
to serve as his adviser in the defense
department and as NSA, which the
latter accepted.

Cargo ship sumadsad sa Masbate

Hataw, Friday, May 14, 2010

By: D. Garcia/ L. Basilio

LEGAZPI CITY – Sinagip ng Navy sailors ang 22 tripulante ng cargo vessel na sumadsad sa Ticao Island sa Masbate kahapon, ayon sa ulat ng Navy Official.

Sinabi ni Lt. Denver Ramon, spokesman ng Navy sa Bicol, nagsagawa ng distress call ang MV Pacifico dakong 6:10 a.m. kahapon, at sinabing sumadsad ang barko sa Argos Point at dahil sa impact ay nabutas ang bow na pinasukan ng tubig.

Ang barkong pag-aari ng Galaxy Transportation Inc. ay may kargang 50,000 bags ng semento mula sa Cebu at nagdidiskarga sa Masbate port.

Sinabi ni Jesus Hernando, cargo ship captain, ligtas na ang lahat ng mga tripulante ngunit ang kalahati ng cement cargo ay basa na ng tubig dagat.

CARGO VESSEL SUMADSAD SA ISLA NG MASBATE

Abante, May 14, 2010

By:Edwin Balasa

Ligtas na ang mga tri­pulante ng sumadsad na cargo vessel matapos ang mabilis na responde ng Naval Forces Southern Luzon kahapon ng umaga sa isang isla sa Masbate.


Dakong alas-sais ng umaga nang sumadsad ang MV Pacific Cruiser na pag-aari ng Galaxy Transportation sa Magcaragit Island sa nasabing lalawigan. Ang nasabing cargo vessel ay patungo sana sa Masbate City galing sa lalawigan ng Cebu.


Ayon kay Lt. Commander Ariel Leonida, agad silang rumesponde matapos na makumpirma ang nasabing insidente.


Nabatid na libu-libong sako ng semento ang laman ng nasabing cargo vessel nang siyasatin matapos itong madala sa mababaw na bahagi ng dagat.


Ayon pa kay Leonida na posibleng dahil sa sobrang bigat ng karga ang dahilan ng nasabing pagsadsad ng barko.


Patuloy naman ang gina­gawang imbestigas­yon upang mabatid ang dahilan ng insidente.