Navy Eyeing purchase of used sea vessel from US

The Manila Times, Monday, 24 January 2011

THE Philippine Navy on Sunday said it was conducting talks with the United States government to buy a second-hand coastguard cutter to upgrade its ageing fleet. Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said the 115-meter Hamilton class vessel, which he did not name, would significantly boost Manila’s capability to patrol its archipelago.

“We are actively discussing with the US government the possible acquisition of the Hamilton class,” he said.

“We need this to boost security in our exclusive economic zone,” Pama added.

The Navy admiral said the Hamilton class cutters are the biggest vessels used by the US coastguard, with the exception of heavy ice breakers.

The vessel was expected to arrive in Manila in the first half of the year, replacing the navy’s flagship BRP Raja Humabon, a Cannon-class destroyer escort, which is probably one of the world’s oldest war ships, the Filipino Navy said.

Equipped with a retractable hangar, a helicopter flight deck and powered by a dual engine or gas turbines, the Hamilton cutter is described as a high endurance cutter with close-in weapons systems.

Pama said he could not disclose exact figures for the purchase, which he described as the first of several being planned.

The Philippines is considered a non-NATO military ally by the United States, which has been sending troops to the impoverished country for training missions to help crush Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mindanao.

The Philippine armed forces is considered by many experts as among the weakest in the Asian region, but President Benigno Aquino 3rd vowed to modernise it shortly after assuming his post in June last year.

AFP

34 Nawawalang Mangingisda, Nasagip ng Navy

By Pasky Natividad

Saksi, Monday, 24 January 2011

Nailigtas ng Philippine Navy ang 34 mangingisda sa Paly Island, Taytay, Palawan matapos na agad ilunsad ng Naval Forces West (NFW) Command na nakabase sa Puerto Princesa City ang BRP Rizal (PS74).

Ang F/B Jonathan I, na kinalululanan ng mga ito ay isa sa 13 sasakyan na iniulat na nawawala simula noong nakaraang Linggo, January 16 dahil sa malakas na hanging dala ng northeast monsoon. Ang mga nailigtas na mangingisda na mula sa Occidental Mindoro at PPC ay kinikilala ni Ms Norie Esparagoza, ang may-ari ng F/B Jonathan.

Agad nilapatan ng paunang lunas ang mga nakaligtas matapos silang matagpuan ng grupo ng Navy. Samantala, habang isinusulat ito ay patuloy pa rin ang PS 74 sa search and rescue para sa tatlo pang mangingisda sa karagatan ng Roxas at Linapacan.

Nakilala ang mga itong sina Bong Escondo, Bito Roldan at Limuel Tirincio. Nauna rito, matagumpay ring nailigtas ng PS 74 ang pitong mangingisda mula sa M/V marlette Joy.

Dinala ang mga nakaligtas sa Puerto Princesa City at inihatid sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Ang PS 74 ay pinamumunuan naman ni Capt. Elpidio F. Francisco PN(GSC).

"The Navy is perpetually ready to respond to various distress calls. We will remain commited to be at the forefront of humanitarian and development endeavors in support to national government for the welfare of our fellow Filipinos." Ang pahayag ng opisyal.

Deaths from rains hit 59; landslide sensors stolen

By: Victor Reyes
Malaya, Thursday 20 January 2011

THE death toll from weeks of continuous heavy rains in 11 regions yesterday rose to 59 from 54, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Also yesterday, the Navy rescued 34 passengers and crewmen of a boat that capsized in Palawan on January 16.

Three crewmen remain missing. This brings to 35 the total number of missing persons.

The NDRRMC reported that a landslide sensor installed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in landslide-prone St. Bernard town in Leyte was stolen two days ago.

A week ago, two river sensors of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Pangasinan and Tarlac were also stolen, compromising the government’s monitoring of flooding.

"We may not be able to issue warning on landslides," said Benito Ramos, NDRRMC executive director and head of the Office of Civil Defense, when asked on the effect of the theft of the landslide sensor.

The NDRRMC said the number affected people also increased to 323,149 families or 1,650,754 individuals, with 12,523 families staying in evacuation centers.

There was also a slight rise in damage to infrastructure, agriculture and private property, now at P1.78 billion.

The five new fatalities recorded by the NDRRMC were victims of drowning.

The vessel F/B Jonathan capsized off Paly island in Taytay town because of strong winds and turbulent water.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the Navy’s BRP Rizal reached the area yesterday and found the 34 rescued "clinging to the debris of the boat."

The three missing were identified as Bong Escondo, Bito Roldan and Limuel Tirincio.

The Philippine Red Cross appealed for donations amid the continuous heavy rains and flooding and for the effects of the La Niña phenomenon, which means more rains than normal.

PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang said needed are mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, tents, rice, sardines, noodles, toothbrush and toothpaste, bath soap, sanitary napkins, shampoo, towels, and medicinal alcohol. – With Gerard Naval

Navy explosives expert honored

By: Alexis Romero
The Philippine Star, Sunday, 16 January 2011

The US Navy recently feted a Filipino Navy officer and explosives disposal expert for his efforts to ensure the safety of civilians against explosive devices.

Lt. Leo Dimoc was given the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) Officer Master Technician and Warfare badge, the first Filipino to receive such recognition. The badge signifies that the recipient is capable of handling explosive devices based on the qualifications set by the US Navy.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Bacordo said Dimoc is only the fourth Asian to receive such a badge.

“The award is based upon Lt. Dimoc’s sustained superior performance over the last two years, having flawlessly executed his chain of command’s EOD vision by tactically leading his team during the disposal of more than 100,000 rounds of retrograde ordnance, with a perfect safety record,” Bacordo said.

Dimoc was honored in a ceremony attended by Navy and police officials and representatives from the Joint United States Military Advisory Group in Camp Aguinaldo. Dimoc has been handling explosive devices since he joined the Naval Special Operations Group in 1997. He had shipping experience on board the BRP Quezon and BRP Pangasinan.

“As a demolitionist, we destroy the enemy and their implements. As an EOD technician, we render safe disposal of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices,” Dimoc said.

Dimoc underwent training for seven months at the Basic Naval EOD Course at the Naval School EOD in Florida. He led the unit which disposed of around 40,000 lbs of explosive war remnants at the Naval Ordnance Depot Detachment in Caballo Island in 2009 and 2010. He also led a group that disposed a submarine-launched mobile mine at the east coast of Luzon and recovered a hand grenade at the Cavite City Hall.

Dimoc was also involved in the disposal of a fragmentation grenade thrown by a suspected Abu Sayyaf member at a village in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. In addition, he helped organize the Counter IED conference in Fort Bonifacio in 2009.