Navy soon to get its largest vessel ever

By Victor Reyes

Malaya, Monday, 24 January 2011

The Navy is in the process of acquiring a Hamilton class US Coast Guard cutter, a high-endurance ship which will be the Navy’s largest vessel if the acquisition under the Foreign Military Sales of the US Department of Defense pushes through.

Rear Adm. Alexander Pama, Navy chief, did not say at what price the vessel would be acquired. He said details are still being discussed.

Pama said the vessel might be delivered this year.

He said discussions are also ongoing for the acquisition of other US ships.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said former Navy chief Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez inspected the cutter during a visit to US last November. Cortez retired early this month.

The cutter will be the first in the inventory of the Navy whose modernization program is being delayed by lack of funds.

Pama said the vessel is expected to boost the Navy’s capability, particularly in the conduct of patrol in the high seas and in search and rescue operations during disasters.

Twelve High Endurance Cutters (WHEC) were introduced in the US Coast Guard inventory in the 1960s. The first of the class was the Hamilton (WHEC-715) commissioned in 1967.

According to the US Coast Guard website, the 378-foot WHEC class is the largest of cutters, aside from three major icebreakers, ever built for the US Coast Guard.

These are equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter deployment.

The largest surface combatant ship of the Navy now is the destroyer escort BRP Rajah Humabon which is 308 feet long.

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