Hero's burial for officer who died after passing fitness test

By Donna Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tuesday, January 11, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—The Marine officer who succumbed to a heart attack after a physical fitness test last week will be given a hero’s burial, the Navy announced.

Lt. Col. Leonard Vincent Teodoro, 42, assistant chief for operations of the Marine Corps Staff (MC3), will be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio on Jan. 11, according to Navy spokesperson Capt. Giovanni Bacordo, “as befits the service and sacrifice he had rendered to the country.”

As previous commanding officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 based in Basilan, Teodoro led his men in successful operations against the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless groups, neutralizing some of their leaders.

Teodoro graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1989. He died on Jan. 5 after suffering cardiac arrest following a physical fitness test which consisted of push-ups, sit-ups and a 3.2-kilometer run at Camp Aguinaldo.

He passed the test, a requisite for promotion to the rank of colonel, and was walking to his car after talking with some colleagues when he collapsed.

He suffered a sudden cardiac death, said Capt. Vicente Villa, officer in charge of the Camp Aguinaldo Station Hospital emergency room.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson said the AFP would review its physical exam policy following Teodoro’s death.

Teodoro’s remains lie at the BNS Mortuary at the Fort Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City.

Teodoro and his wife, Lee Angelique, had two children, Louie Andrea, 13, and Adrian Vincent, 11.

Inquirer.net

Tulong sa Navy

Bagong Tiktik, Thursday, January 6, 2011

Nang pangunahan ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino ang pagpapalit ng liderato ng Philippine Navy nitong martes, nakita niya ang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ng hukbong pandagat ng Pilipinas. Panahon pa naman daw pala ng giyerang Vietnam ang karamihan ng mga barko, eroplano, helicopter at mga kagamitan ng Navy at nangako siya ng kinakailangang modernisasyon ng mga ito.

Tama at agaran ang kinakailangang pagbabago dahil isa ang Pilipinas sa may pinakamalawak na coastal area sa buong mundo na sakop na responsibilidad ng Navy. Paano nga naman nilang mababantayan ang atoing karagatan kung bukod sa sisinghap-singhap ang mga barko't iba pang sasakyan ng Navy ay iilan lamang ito?

Napakalaking tulong kung matutupad ang modernisasyon dahil makatutugon ang hukbong pandagat sa pangangailangan ng bansa sa seguridad lalo sa paghahanap ng langis sa karagatan.

Mabagal ang pag-usad sa paggalugad ng mga lugar na pagkukunan ng enerhiya, partikular sa bandang timogng bansa dahil andoon ang pangamba ng mga komunista, militanteng mga muslim, pati ng mga terorista. Kung may makikitang kakasang hukbong pandagat, magdadalawang-isip ang mga ito.

Kung moderno rin at may sapat na dami ang mga kagamitan ng Navy, higit silang makaktulong lalo sa panahon ng mga kalamidad at makapagsisilbi sa mga mamamayan.

Lubhang kinakailangan ng bansa ang modernisasyon at pagdagdag ng mga kagamitan, lalo ang sapat at naangkop na pagsasanay hindi lamang sa Navy kundi sa kabuuang puwersa ng Pilipinas. Kailagang tapatan ng pamahalaang ang kagitingan at katapangan ng ating mga tagapagtanggol para maging mas epektibo sila sa sinumpaang tungkulin.

New Navy chief vows to have more training programs

By Alexis Romero

The Philippine Star, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Navy chief Rear Adm. Alexander Pama yesterday vowed to implement training programs to enhance the competence of Navy personnel.

“In the area of competence, I would like to pay particular focus on educating and training our personnel in order to equip our sailors, Marines, airmen, seabees and support and maintenance personnel with new skill sets,” Pama said in a speech during the turnover rites the Navy headquarters in Manila.

“This is to prepare them to operate and maintain material assets that are newly acquired or those planned for acquisitions,” he added.

Pama said he will also focus on instilling discipline among members of the Navy and at the same time seek the upgrading of equipment.

Pama assumed his post as Navy chief yesterday in a change of command ceremony led by President Aquino.

Present were Vice President Jejomar Binay; Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Bia-zon, himself a former AFP chief; AFP chief of staff Ricardo David, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and Cavite Rep. Jose Emilio Abaya, among others.

Pama, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class ’79, succeeded Navy chief Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

He had held important military positions like Navy vice commander, Navy inspector-general, and Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief.

He was also head of the Task Force Trillium, a joint military and police group formed to address the abduction incidents in Basilan. Pama also served as the commanding officer of six Navy vessels.

David, meanwhile, said the military would conduct a nationwide survey to determine the sentiments of the public toward the military.

He said the conduct of the survey is in line with the implementation of the new internal security plan “Bayanihan.”

The survey may be conducted in areas affected by insurgency and armed conflict like Davao, Caraga, Bicol, Negros, Samar, and Cotabato to determine the military’s weak points.The plan, which took effect last Jan. 1 and will be in force until 2016, focuses on development projects to address the roots of rebellion.

There were speculations that some ground commanders oppose the new security plan but the military leadership denied this.

Noynoy backs Navy upgrade

By Norman Bordadora

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

President Aquino yesterday promised to back the Philippine Navy's desperately needed modernization but also called on the group to continue security the country's seas, particularly those that host ongoing petruleum exploration.

In his speech during the turnover of command from Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez to new Navy Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, Mr. Aquino said these critical areas include the seas around Kalayaan Island Group, Malampaya, Palawan, Mapun and Sulu.

"I salute you on the accomplishment of your duty to protect our territory despite such obstacles as antiquated vessels and the lack of some important equipment. Be assured that your government will also work double time to come up with effective ways to improve these things and maintain the integrity of the Navy," President Aquino said.

"I am quite confident that while we strenghten your ranks and upgrade your equipment, you will continue to take care of the security of our seas especially in the areas of petroleum exploration in the Kalayaan Island Group, Malampaya, Palawan, Mapun and Sulu," he added.

President Aquino said the Navy's role in securing these areas is proof of its huge contribution not only in the country's security aspect

"but also in strengthening the potential of our national economy."

Before ending his prepared speech, Mr. Aquino turned spontaneous and said he was unpleasantly surprised when he learned that one of the two vessels tasked to patrol waters off Palawan was still running on outriggers.

"In one of the briefings on the Kalayaan Island Group, I was shocked- I know that we have a shortage of ships-(but) I was surprised when I learned that of two boats (in Palawan).. one of them still had outriggers," President Aquino said.

President Aquino said the Navy does not lack lobbyists for funding for more modern ships and equipment.

he mentioned former Marine commandant and now Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the House committee on national defense; former Navy officer Cavite Rep. Jun Abaya, chair of the house committee on appropriations; and Marine reservist Vice President Jejomar Binay.